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The famous Tasmanian devil could be extinct in the wild within a decade, experts warn.

The devils' survival from a highly contagious facial tumour disease depends on a breeding program.

The aim is to quarantine 500 adult devils in zoos and wildlife parks across the nation.

The warning came yesterday as zoos jointly launched a national public fundraising initiative to bankroll the breeding and research program in 18 zoos and wildlife parks.

They include Monarto Zoo, near Murray Bridge.

Under the program, wildlife experts have begun quarantining 115 diseasefree adults from wilderness areas yet to be touched by the disease.

Scientists are adamant wild devils will be wiped out unless a cancer vaccine is developed.

The disease only is spread by devils biting each another - a key component of mating and eating, so there is little hope of preventing it spreading across Tasmania.

Taronga Conservation Society director Guy Cooper said the much-loved devil could be extinct within a decade.

The disease was spreading much quicker than initially believed.

"The forecasts (for extinction) range from something like 35 years to a heartstopping 15 and we're already now beginning to hear the year 10 now forecast," he said.

Under the fundraiser. which runs nationally for three months, members of the public are being directed to a special website, www.tassiedevilappeal.org, where people can breed a virtual devil and donate to the program.

The zoos hope to raise $500,000. One of four primary mainland institutions in the breeding program, Monarto Zoo, has received 12 animals, five males and seven females. In the first breeding season, there was one male offspring. This year, three males and two females were born.

Zoos SA conservation director Kevin Evans said: "Monarto Zoo in time will be one of the largest contributors with over 40 animals in our program".