The Program
Published: 08/04/2008
Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a rare infectious cancer that is spreading through wild Tasmanian devil populations. The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have become partners in an initiative, known as the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, with the mandate to investigate the disease and identify management options.
The core activity of the Save the
Tasmanian Devil Program is funded by the Australian and Tasmanian
Governments and is overseen by a Steering Committee. The Program is co-ordinated by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). It focuses on on-ground management activity as well as applied research. The department also facilitates and supports research and contributions by other organisations, including the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the University of Tasmania, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Murdoch University, Landcare Research (New Zealand), and wildlife parks and zoos.
What do we want to achieve?
The Program's aim is to see the Tasmanian devil again thriving in the wild. Our strategy encompasses a range of approaches to provide the species with the best chance of survival.
Program focus
There are four key areas of focus for the program.
- Population monitoring - Gathering data in the field to clarify disease distribution and impacts, and to help determine conservation strategies.
- Disease diagnostics - A laboratory-based investigation of the disease itself, which includes defining the disease, exploring its transmission, the possible causes, and so on. We eagerly anticipate the development of an effective pre-diagnostic test that can be used in the field to detect diseased animals before they become infectious.
- Wild management - Establishing methods for managing the impact of the disease in the wild, for example disease suppression.
- Insurance Population - To build and maintain an Insurance Population of healthy and genetically robust devils for the next 50 years. These animals may be reintroduced to the wild as necessary.
View a movie on the Tasmanian devil and the race to prevent its extinction.
