Peninsula Devil Conservation Project

A protected haven for devils
Supporting wild devil recovery
The Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas (the ‘Peninsula’)
are ideal locations for protecting healthy devils due
to their natural isolation and large areas of ideal
devil habitat. The area has supported a wild devil
population in the past and is large enough to provide
for a self-sustaining population of healthy devils in the
wild.
Establishing Wild Devil Recovery Zones is an
important part of the Wild Devil Recovery Project.
This is an international effort aimed at ensuring the
long-term survival of the species in the wild.
Importantly, the Peninsula has two natural barriers to
devil movement: the Denison Canal at Dunalley and
the isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck. The natural barrier
at Dunalley has been enhanced with manmade devil
deterrents, including a devil-proof fence across the
neck of the peninsula, to create a bio-secure area on
the Peninsula protected from DFTD.
Protecting peninsula devils
A lot of work has been done to make sure the
Peninsula is free of DFTD and that it stays that way.
Manmade devil deterrents reinforce the natural
isolation of the area and pose barriers to devils
moving onto the Peninsula from the Tasmanian
mainland.
It is particularly important that no devils are moved
onto the Peninsula by members of the public. This
could place all healthy devils on the Peninsula at risk
as even healthy looking devils could still be carrying
DFTD.
If you have a nuisance devil on your property, please
contact the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program on
0427 733 511 and staff will provide advice and
assistance.
The Project follows on from the effective
establishment of a Captive Population of devils in
zoos and wildlife parks across Australia, as well
as in Save the Tasmanian Devil Program facilities in
Tasmania. The Captive Population guards against
species extinction and is the source of healthy devils
for release into the wild.
Peninsula Devil
Conservation
Project
Creating a Wild Devil Recovery Zone
The Peninsula release follows the release of 28 devils
on Maria Island in 2012-13 and the release of 20 devils
at Narawntapu National Park in 2015.
Acknowledgement
The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is a
joint response by the Australian and Tasmanian
Governments to the threat to the Tasmanian devil
from Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The response is
supported by a wide range of partners including the
Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, the University of
Tasmania, and the Zoo and Aquarium Association and
its associated wildlife parks.
The Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas are an
important landscape for the Tasmanian devil and for
ensuring the survival of the species in the wild. The
area provides a refuge for healthy devils and offers
protection from the deadly Devil Facial Tumour
Disease that has devastated the species.
A deadly disease
Releasing healthy devils
A history of devils
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are now listed
as Endangered due to the impact of the deadly Devil
Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
The Peninsula Devil Conservation Project saw
around 40 healthy devils released onto the Forestier
Peninsula during November 2015. A further ten (10)
juveniles were released in January 2016.
Tasmanian devils have always lived on the Forestier
and Tasman Peninsulas but their numbers have
fluctuated since European settlement. Before DFTD,
devil numbers seemed to be increasing in the area and
the population was estimated at around 250 devils,
with most living on the Forestier Peninsula.
This disease has been devastating. Across Tasmania,
the devil population is estimated to have fallen by over
80 percent compared with numbers before the disease
struck. In some areas, up to 95 percent of devils have
disappeared from the wild.
DFTD is spread via interactions (such as biting during
fighting and mating) between healthy devils and
those infected with the disease. Preventing healthy
and diseased devils from interacting is one way of
stopping spread of the disease. This can be achieved by
establishing healthy devil populations in areas isolated
and protected from devils infected with DFTD. Places
such as islands and peninsulas offer this isolation and
are ideal recovery zones for healthy, wild devils.
The devils all come from the Captive Population
which comprises over 500 devils housed in captive
facilities throughout Australia. A careful selection
process is managed by the Zoo and Aquarium
Association (ZAA) to identify the most suitable genetic
candidates for wild release. Selection also includes
behavioural and other assessments.
Devils released onto the Peninsula include
descendants of animals removed from the
depopulation of Forestier Peninsula in 2012.
Following release, regular monitoring of the
Peninsula devils will be undertaken to track progress
and see how they are settling into their new wild
home.
In 2004, devils on the Forestier Peninsula were
detected with DFTD and an attempt was made to halt
the disease by removing infected devils. This proved
unsuccessful and, in 2012, a decision was made to
remove all devils from the Forestier Peninsula to
ensure the area was free of DFTD.
Intensive monitoring between 2013 and 2015
showed that the devils on the more isolated Tasman
Peninsula were free of DFTD. This small population
of wild devils will have an important role to plan in
maintaining genetic diversity for long term recovery
of devils in the region.
You can help
Apart from DFTD, another serious risk to the survival
of devils in the wild continues to be the threat from
vehicles on our roads. Devils are particularly hard to
see on the road and all drivers should slow down and
watch out between dusk and dawn, especially on roads
near or through bushland.
Devil roadkill data is recorded to allow measures to
be put in place at roadkill hotspots. The public are
encouraged to report any devil roadkill in Tasmania
on 0427 733 511.
For further information on other ways you can help,
visit www.tassiedevil.com.au