Tasmanian devils with no signs of the Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) were found in the state’s remote south-west coast.
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Scientists from the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STDP), University of Sydney, and Toledo Zoo for eight days explored the area across Wreck Bay and Nye Bay, where devils had never been trapped before.
STDP team leader and Toledo Zoo adjunct biologist Dr Sam Fox said the trip aimed to examine devils to see if DFTD had reached the area.
“The combined trapping mission across Wreck Bay and Nye Bay saw 14 individual devils trapped,” Dr Fox said.
“All were in good condition and importantly, there were no signs of disease.
“From our trapping we found that the ages of the devils ranged from 18-months to five years, which is a good sign to show disease is not present as we just don’t trap devils as old as these in areas of the state where DFTD is found.”
Dr Fox said the devils found were likely to have a large “home range”.
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“They are having to travel long distances along the coast to find food and are moving backwards and forwards as they forage for protein,” he said.
“The data we collected on this trip can give us a rough population estimate, based on the capture mark process, looking at the number of devils captured and how many animals were new or recaptured.”
Save the Tasmanian Devil Program manager Dr David Pemberton said devils were “restricted to the coastal fringes” where food was likely more available.
“The preferred areas had food sources for the devils such as pademelons and they also provided the right habitat for denning.
“They also scavenge along the coastline, looking for other protein such as washed-up fish, or even something bigger like a whale or a seal.”
Toledo Zoo president and chief executive Jeff Sailer said the zoo was “honoured” to be part of the program.
“The zoo’s mission is to inspire others to join us in caring for animals and conserving the natural world,” he said.
“We can’t think of a better way to exemplify that mission than to provide all the resources possible to help save an iconic species from the brink of extinction.”