Save the Tasmanian Devil
Transcription
Save the Tasmanian Devil
ne F R w E sl E et te r save the Tasmanian Devil www.tassiedevil.com.au March 2008 ISSN 1833-4954 In this issue: 2 3 6 Better the devil you know Face to face with a devil Devils unleashed for Mardi Gras The best of the best of the best When trapping teams began collecting the newest members of our Insurance Population in January, they caught 70 Tasmanian devils. Of these, only 10 juveniles could be taken into captivity. ‘An incredible amount of work goes into making sure we get the best of the best of the best. But it’s important we do so, because these are the devils of the future.’ explained Dydee Mann, coordinator of the Western Intake 2008. Up to 100 wild Tasmanian devils will be brought into the program’s quarantine facility before April. ‘We target recentlyweaned devils, around one year old, and without signs or biting or fighting,’ Dydee said. ‘DFTD is less common in young devils, especially before they have dispersed into areas with the disease’. Welcome The devil program is entering an exciting new stage with many initiatives in the pipeline. A five-year plan is being prepared to guide the program from July 2008 to June 2013. The Australian Government has committed funding of $10 million over five years, and funding from the State Government will be announced next month. The Mark Webber Challenge Foundation has selected this program as one of the main causes it will support in 2008. Funds will go to some private zoos on mainland Australia that are committed to breeding devils as part of the insurance population. Mark Webber joins a growing list of devil champions, like “Nature Nic”, Qantas, Tasmanian Wildlife Parks and the Tasmanian Devils VFL team, who have thrown themselves into the fight to save this wonderful animal. Steve Smith, Program Manager Devils are only taken from areas that are at least 50 km west of the known disease ‘front’. The Australian zoo association, ARAZPA, advised that at least 150 founders and an effective breeding population of around 500 breeding devils are needed to maintain the genetic diversity of the species over a period of 10 to 20 years. The Australian Government authorised the capture of these additional wild healthy devils. Over the past two years, more than 70 devils have already been sent to the mainland as part of the Insurance Population. CRIKEY! Australian Formula One racer Mark Webber (with Steve Smith, manager of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program) is raising money to support Tasmanian devil breeding facilities at the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo, as well as other private zoos such as the Australian Reptile Park and Currumbin Zoo. (www.markwebberchallenge.com) 2 www.tassiedevil.com.au The story so far • Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer that is spread between individuals, probably through biting. The foreign cells of the tumour aren’t rejected by the animal’s immune system because of a lack of genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils. • The first signs of the disease, which is restricted to devils, were observed in 1996. Small lumps in and around the mouth develop into large tumours on the face and neck. Once the cancer becomes visible, death usually follows within months. • The program to Save the Tasmanian Devil is a joint strategy of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. It features an insurance population strategy, collaborative laboratory-based investigations of the disease, and diseasesuppression programs of wild populations. • There has been a 53 per cent decline in spotlighting sightings since the first report of the disease. DFTD has been confirmed at 61 different locations across more than 60 per cent of the State – the latest being Natone, south of Burnie. It is likely to occur across the range of devils within five years although currently, there is strong evidence that the disease has not spread further west than the Cradle Mountain area. • The current Australian Government has promised $10million to the Program over five years. • In November 2007, the expert Threatened Species Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) recommended changing the status of the Tasmanian devil from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’ under Tasmania’s Threatened Species Act. Public generosity funds further research More than $117,000 in research grants and scholarships have been awarded in the latest grant allocation from the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, funded by generous public donations. For a full list of grant recipients, go to: www.tassiedevil.com.au/docs/ResearchGrant_ release.pdf Better the devil you know Participants at the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Genetics Workshop in Hobart last November (see photo) decided it would be valuable to sequence the complete genome of the Tasmanian devil using new generation DNA sequencing technology. The genome sequencing team will be led by Dr Vanessa Hayes, from Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA) in Sydney, who has established the Devil Sequencing Laboratory. Vanessa recently joined CCIA to establish a state-of-the-art genomics laboratory and head the Cancer Genetics Group. The Devil Sequencing Project will aid scientists’ understanding of the mechanisms behind the devil’s inability to mount an immune response against the tumour. Ultimately the aim is to establish targets to generate an immune response in infected animals, or to possibly produce a vaccine. ‘Animal models have been extensively used to teach us about human cancers. We will also be providing vital information about evolution and decline in Australian biodiversity and how we can manage this decline in the future,’ Vanessa said. For more information on the Devil Sequencing Laboratory, visit www.ccia.org.au [email protected] • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001 3 www.tassiedevil.com.au Face to face with a devil Wildlife Parks across Tasmania provide an opportunity to come face to face with Tasmanian devils. They play an important role in conserving this unique species, as well as raising awareness of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, funded by both Tasmanian and Australian Governments, provides in-principle support for the initiatives of these parks in helping to save this iconic animal. Devils @ Cradle Sheffield – www.devilsatcradle.com Devils @ Cradle is a unique wildlife park concentrating specifically on Tasmanian devils. All visitors receive a personally guided tour which ensures a close up and educational experience, with the most spectacular being the night feeding tours. The facility has an intensively managed captive-breeding program, which now houses 20 devils, and conducts a camera-based field monitoring program of wild devils with the Cradle Mountain area. “Our captive-breeding program is linked to the field monitoring program,” said Wade Anthony, the managing director of Devils @ Cradle. “Down the track, hopefully some of the animals we breed can be released back into the area and monitored via tracking devices.” Wings Wildlife Park 137 Winduss Road, Gunns Plains – www.wingswildlife.com.au The family-run Wings Wildlife Park has undertaken guided tours for most schools on the Tasmanian north-west coast. “Our focus on awareness and education goes hand in hand with the Park’s captive breeding program, which has a 100% success rate,” said Megan Wing, who operates the park with husband Colin and son Josh. Wings Wildlife Park is 35 minutes from Devonport, and offers on-site accommodation. It caters for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, and also boasts farm animals, reptiles and fish. As well as breeding devils, they also breed owls, quolls, bettongs and possums. Kings Run Wildlife Tours Arthur River, 14km south of Marrawah – www.kingsrun.com.au Watching Tasmanian devils feasting on a carcass in the wild is a rare treat for most tourists – even locals. But Geoff King, from Kings Run Wildlife Tours, offers this truly unique and unforgettable experience on his 350ha property. ‘I feel lucky that my family were cattlemen who chose this block as a winter run five generations ago,’ explained Geoff, a beef producer and the president of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. ‘Today, the land has shown that it’s got a completely different character.’ The western boundary of Kings Run, which is pounded by the Southern Ocean, is a rugged foreshore studded with quartzite outcrops and an abundance of shorebirds. Continued next page.... [email protected] • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001 4 www.tassiedevil.com.au Face to face with a devil ....Continued from page 3 Zoo Doo Wildlife Park Something Wild 620 Middle Tea Tree Road, Richmond – www.zoodoo.com.au 2082 Gordon River Road, National Park – www.somethingwild.com.au Can Bengal Tigers help save the Tassie Devil? The answer is yes, explains Trevor Cuttriss from Zoo Doo Wildlife Park. Something Wild and The Devils in Danger Foundation Inc. (DIDF) is committed to saving the Tasmanian devil through the unique ‘No Injury’ breeding program. This is the only breeding program of its type in the world, designed and endorsed by experts in Devil Captive management. “We’re different to other parks in that we have large numbers of exotic and agricultural animals, as well as native species,” said Trevor. “This variety means we attract many visitors – and once they’re through the gate, we can educate them about Tasmanian devils and DFTD.” In 2007, Zoo Doo built a glass-fronted devil exhibit, and is looking to further increase their devil numbers through a breeding program. Zoo Doo also runs guided bus tours through the 33ha farm, allowing visitors to get ‘up close and personal’ with the animals. The program is designed to humanely breed captive devils to maximize the genetics in our clean captive population before it’s too late. This program aims to raise the standard in captive breeding. A primary world class quarantine ‘no injury’ breeding facility, to train animal handlers and incorporating “off display” quarantine breeding and holding pods to breed devils humanely, will be constructed in 2008. Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park Port Arthur Highway, Taranna – www.tasmaniandevilpark.com Photo: Alan Jennison The Tasmanian Devil Conservation park is involved in a number of research projects to help the save the Tasmanian devil. In 2007, the Tasman Founder Project saw them release back into the wild orphaned devils (from sick mothers from the Forestier Peninsula) that were hand-raised by volunteer carers before being held for a year in quarantine by the Park. These devils were released with satellite tracking collars to trace their movements and survival on the peninsula. Another project is attempting to selectively breed devils with greater ability to survive the Devil Facial Tumour Disease. In 2008, the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park will open its latest cutting-edge Tasmanian devil displays. East Coast Natureworld Tasman Highway, Bicheno – www.natureworld.com.au East Coast Natureworld owners Bruce and Maureen Englefield have donated the use of 11ha of land to establish the Devil Island Project – a wild population of disease-free breeding devils. “My Masters Degree is in animal behaviour,” Bruce said. “My focus is on preserving the wild behaviour of devils so they can be released directly into the wild.” Work has already begun on a double security fence system to enclose Devil Island. Ten Tasmanians, “The Devil Islanders” (see picture), are training for the London Marathon to raise $130,000 toward financing the project. With an average age of 56, they’re putting their bodies on the line to save their iconic animal. Continued next page.... [email protected] • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001 5 www.tassiedevil.com.au Face to face with a devil ....Continued from page 4 Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre 593 Briggs Road, Brighton – www.bonorong.com.au A dedicated team of wildlife and eco-tourism experts took over the management of Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre in late 2007, transforming the long-time sanctuary into a centre for conservation and education. “Devil conservation is an important part of our new focus,” said conservation director, Dr Sally Bryant. “This includes public education about DFTD, as well as devil roadkill, and how people can be involved. “We have 14 devils on site, and our personalised keeper tours include devil ecology, life history and latest research.” Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre provides rehabilitation services for native Tasmanian orphaned or injured wildlife, on and off site, using a network of half-way properties and specialised volunteers. Devil’s Heaven at Launceston Lakes 1166 Ecclestone Road, Riverside – www.launcestonlakes.com The Launceston Lakes Devil Orphan Program was established in 2004 when they agreed to adopt and raise the orphaned devils of mothers with DFTD. “At the time, no-one knew if the babies would also be infected,” said Drew Williams, Zoologist at Launceston Lakes. “But one of the many things we’ve learnt from this transmission trial is that mothers don’t pass on DFTD to their young. “Today, all the animals remain disease free. We even have three devils that are secondgeneration descendants of the original orphans.” Nestled in the foothills of the Tamar Valley, Launceston Lakes adjoins native bush. The large enclosures allow visitors to experience wildlife in a natural environment. Trowunna Wildlife Park 1892 Mole Creek Road, Mole Creek – www.trowunna.com.au First established in 1979, Androo Kelly’s Trowunna Wildlife Park lays claim to pioneering the captive management of devils. Today, Trowunna has 22 devil enclosures housing 46 animals. It’s an institutional member of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) and a member of the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK). Trowunna has bred devils every year since 1985, complete with detailed stud records. Moreover, Androo’s ARAZPA-accredited Tasmanian devil management course, conducted since 2001, is being attended by zookeepers across Australasia, the US, and Europe – particularly by staff from wildlife parks, chosen to house insurance-population devils. Trowunna prides itself on its cutting-edge approach to wildlife management and education. [email protected] • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001 6 www.tassiedevil.com.au Round the Traps Devils unleashed for Mardi Gras The Tasmanian gay and lesbian community entered a ‘Tassie devils’ float in this month’s 30th anniversary Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. event, which draws a crowd of more than half a million (while millions more watch on TV). “Our aim was to raise awareness of the Tasmanian gay community in a fun, positive manner, while raising funds for Tasmanian devil research,” said Mark Howell, representing the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Community Centre (www.gaytas.com). Mark said that the response to the project was overwhelming - from the numbers of people wanting to march in the parade, right through to the businesses raising money for devil research. Close to 100 Tasmanian devil marchers took part in the glittering Punk for the devil Sydney punk band Andorra recently organised Punk for the Devil – an event in which 15 punks bands came together to record versions of ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ and ‘We Are the World’. The bands made the songs and music videos available for download through the ‘music forte’ website: www.musicforte.com/member/pftd Chemical levels in Tasmanian devils As part of the disease investigation, samples from healthy and DFTD-infected devils have been analysed to look for traces of a range of identified chemicals. Although some chemicals were detected in some of the samples (both healthy and diseased) further work is being undertaken to determine if there is a link to the Devil Disease. Black and White Day Jot this date in your diary…Friday, May 16 is the second annual ‘Black and White Day’. Last year, nine-year-old Hobart schoolboy Nature Nic (as Nic Bonnitcha prefers to be known) helped raise more than $10,000 for Devil Disease research. This year, students are again being encouraged to make a goldcoin donation for the opportunity to wear black and white clothes to school. Maybe your workplace could also join the fun! A toast ! After learning of the Devil Disease during a Tasmanian holiday, newly-engaged Skye Walton and Simon Abraham asked their family and friends to donate to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, rather than buy gifts. Their generosity raised more than $1,000 for the Program. SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL newsletter • Written by Janette Kirkman • Designed by Emil Kolbe [email protected] • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
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