The research, Density trends and demographic signals uncover the long-term impact of transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils, was published in the Journal of Applied Ecology on February 5.

The research was undertaken by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Waters and Environment, San Diego Zoo Global, Toledo Zoo, and the University of Tasmania.

Wildlife biologist and lead author Dr Billie Lazenby said the research showed through monitoring and spotlight counts that devil numbers had decreased by about 80 per cent in areas where the Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) was found.

“While the number of Tasmanian devils in the wild continues to decline and DFTD is spreading, to date devils are still found in the wild in Tasmania,” she said. 

“We are now dealing with a very small and potentially isolated groups of devils across Tasmania.

“The ongoing impact of DFTD, which continues to cause high mortality in devils, could make them vulnerable to other threats,” Ms Lazenby said. 

Save the Tasmanian Devil Program manager and senior author Dr David Pemberton said reductions in numbers and changes in age structures meant populations were now more impacted by threats such as roadkill, bushfires, ecosystem changes, lack of genetic diversity, and variation in food availability.

“Efforts to manage the devils, such as the development of an immunotherapy are ongoing, but remain in a research and development phase.

“That means that recovery efforts focus on maintaining the small populations that have persisted.

“The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is addressing this by reducing the incidence of devil roadkill in known blackspot areas, and augmenting devil numbers, age structure, and genetic diversity by translocating devils into the wild,” Dr Pemberton said.

To report Tasmanian devil roadkill sightings to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, call 0497 DEVILS (0497 338 457).

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