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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.

The Tasmanian devil has been listed as Endangered by the Federal and State governments, as well as the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The Tasmanian devil is now wholly protected. Find out more...

Key areas of focus 

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. 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.

• 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.

Find out how you can help the Program.

	Population monitoring Ascertains if there is local extinction in a diseased population; if a population is reacting atypically to disease; and where the current disease front lies. read more... Published: 04/08/2011
	Disease diagnostics Our scientists have collected and analysed blood, tissue and tumour samples from hundreds of Tasmanian devils, allowing a growing understanding of the nature and origin of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). read more... Published: 04/08/2011
	Wild management Disease suppression was first implemented on the Forestier Peninsula in 2004 in an attempt to contain the impact of DFTD. read more... Published: 04/08/2011
	Insurance population The animals in the Insurance Population could play an important role, if ever needed, in helping to re-establish healthy wild populations of Tasmanian devils. read more... Published: 08/04/2008
	Roadkill Project The Roadkill Project is about harnessing the support of the community to help us protect and monitor wild devil populations. read more... Published: 23/02/2010
	Publications Publications related to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. read more... Published: 08/04/2008
	Steering Committee Steering Committee read more... Published: 25/09/2012
	Devils devour proceeds of crime A rare feast is in store for Tasmanian devils, which are being held in captivity as an insurance against the species' extinction. They have been given the proceeds of a foiled crime - $2,600 worth of stolen meat. read more... Published: 28/03/2013
	Funding Boost for the Survival of the Tasmanian Devil Wildlife parks in three states and researchers from Tasmania, Sydney and Cambridge universities and the Menzies Research Institute have shared more than $650,000 in grants to help save the Tasmanian devil. read more... Published: 25/04/2013
	Devils breeding on new island home Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman, joined staff of the Devil Program and the Parks and Wildlife Service along with a small media group on Maria Island on Friday 19 April report on monitoring and confirm that a number of the female devils are carrying pouch young. read more... Published: 22/04/2013