Important Update: Tasmanian state government lists the Tasmanian Devil's status as "vulnerable", however, a proposal to change the status of the Tasmanian devil from “vulnerable” to “endangered” under Tasmania’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 was announced on November 22, 2007

Australia’s largest living marsupial carnivore was once widespread over Australia, however, the introduction of the dingo ~3,500 years ago probably caused their extinction on the mainland. Today, the Tasmanian devil is found only on the island state of Tasmania. Until recently, this species was considered as common, but in 2002, a sharp decline in the population, associated with the presence of large tumours on the face and neck of animals, raised concerns.

The wild population of Tasmanian devils is currently threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a disfiguring and debilitating neoplastic condition (Loh et al. 2006) first seen in 1996. The disease manifests as small lumps near the mouth, which over time grow into large tumours on the face and neck, and occasionally on other parts of the body. If the tumours interfere with feeding, the devil may become emaciated.  Affected animals appear to die within six months. Scientists now believe the cancer is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal. DFTD has been discovered in wild animals across 51% of the species’ natural range, with population declines of up to 80% in some areas (Loh et al. 2006).

The Senior Scientists Forum considered extinction of the Tasmanian devil in the wild to be a possibility within the next 25-30 years (www.tassiedevil.com.au).

As part of the strategy to help save the Tasmanian devil, the DPIW and ARAZPA have collaborated to establish a new population of Tasmanian devils on mainland Australia as insurance against further, catastrophic declines in the wild as a result of DFTD. Thirty six animals were imported to the mainland in 2006-07, with twenty seven of these having been caught from the wild in 2005. As one of only four primary mainland institutions, Monarto Zoo was allocated twelve animals, five males and seven females. In their first breeding season, one male offspring was produced. This year, the Australasian Species Management Plan has recommended for all seven Monarto females to breed, the second largest number of proposed reproductive attempts within any ARAZPA organisation (second only to Australian Reptile Park). Adelaide Zoo is an auxiliary institution, designated to receive subsequent generations of insurance animals when available. Zoos SA would particularly like to thank Suzuki Australia for their support in this conservation effort.

Potentially, the captive insurance population could increase to more than 500 animals through ARAZPA institutions, Tasmanian Fauna parks and overseas institutions. While the reintroduction of captive animals is envisaged only in the event of catastrophic wild declines (Lees 2006), captive numbers greater than 500 could see the reintroduction of Tasmanian devils onto fenced islands (initially), and later onto some of the larger islands that surround Tasmania.

Lees, C. (2006) DPIW-ARAZPA Captive Management Plan for Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus harrisii. ARAZPA, Mosman.

Loh, R., Bergfeld, J., Hayes, D., O’hara, A., Pyecroft, S., Raidal, S. and Sharpe, R. (2006) The pathology of devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Vet Pathol 43:890–895.