The University of Tasmania Foundation administers funds from the Save the Tasmanian Devil appeal and at Agfest yesterday announced grants of $30,000 for the Trowunna Wildlife Park, at Mole Creek, and $28,394 for Tasmania Zoo, at Bridgenorth.

Appeal manager Rebecca Cuthill said that the appeal had funded a number of management projects that fulfilled a vital part of the program's overall strategies.

``This round of management grants has gone to two worthy recipients who, over a long period, contributed significantly to the public's understanding of the Tasmanian devil,'' Ms Cuthill said.

``I hope that everyone who has made a donation to the appeal, no matter how large or small, recognises the importance that their generosity makes to the ongoing survival of our iconic devil.''

Tasmania Zoo owner Dick Warren said that the money would be used to establish a full-time food storage and preparation area with walk-in freezer, allowing the facility to increase the capacity of its Devils' Haven area by a further 20 breeding animals.

Trowunna Wildlife Park's Androo Kelly said that its grant would ensure a much-improved and more efficient management of its devil program through an upgrade of the food storage and preparation area and development of the animal keepers' management facility.