4) Tasmanian Devil



The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. Until recently, it was only found on the island state of Tasmania, but it has now been reintroduced to New South Wales in mainland Australia, with a small breeding population.

The size of a small dog, the Tasmanian devil became the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, following the extinction of the thylacine in 1936. It is related to quolls, and distantly related to the thylacine. 

It is characterised by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. 

The Tasmanian devil's large head and neck allow it to generate among the strongest bites per unit body mass of any extant predatory land mammal. It hunts prey and scavenges on carrion.

Q)Why are Tasmanian Devils known to be 'critically endangered'?

Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is an aggressive non-viral clonally transmissible cancer which affects Tasmanian devils, a marsupial native to Australia. ... Between 1996 and 2015, DFTD wiped out 95% of affected populations.



 Q)What are the challenges faced by them?

The Tasmanian Devil has experienced devastating decline from a 'common and stable' status to 'endangered', suffering from threats including deadly facial tumours, road-kill and dog attacks. The fatal, contagious cancer referred to as devil facial tumour disease(DFTD) currently has no known vaccination, treatment or way to detect the disease, before the tumours occur. 

According to some predictions, the devil facial tumour disease could wipe out wild Tasmanian Devils in less than 40 years.

Q)Methods adopted to protect them? 

A decision was made to move Tasmanian Devils to the mainland of Australia. This was based on the need to ensure that there is a healthy population of devils that was at absolutely no risk of infection from diseased wild devils. 

Tasmanian Devils in the captive population were initially isolated and housed in purpose-built quarantine enclosures before being sent to wildlife institutions in mainland Australia approved by the Zoo and Aquarium Association.

 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been involved in the captive breeding program since its inception, breeding devils and contributing to the education process to help save this species from extinction in the wild.

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