SEPTEMBER 2012 — ISSN 1833-4954

SAVE THE .

FREE NEWSLETTER

3 Testing 5 Latest 6 Devils on a Devil Devil Display Road Grid Research

establishing four free range enclosures genetic suitability and wild behavioural now housing many of the IP devils in traits. Following their release, the devils Protecting the State. The DIP received the proceeds will be closely monitored using a range from Devil Island member and chef Fiona of techniques including remote camera, Hoskins’ recipe book and announced that radio tracking and trapping. Devils in it would be working with the Program to further develop the isolation projects. Forestier Peninsula is the site for the first of the Landscape Isolation projects. Like the Wild The Translocation Project the MITP, the Forestier Peninsula Project is (MITP) has undergone a comprehensive aimed at establishing a natural population and rigorous assessment process over of healthy devils but it is logistically more After safeguarding the Tasmanian the past 18 months. It has now been complex because of the need for physical devil against extinction through the approved by the Parks and Wildlife Service barriers and the removal of diseased devils establishment of a disease-free Insurance (PWS) subject to a set of conditions (depopulation) prior to the re-introduction Population (IP), the Save the Tasmanian aimed at protecting the natural and of healthy devils (re-wilding). Devil Program is now implementing cultural heritage values on the island. conservation strategies to ensure the These conditions highlight the need for To date, the Program has been gathering survival of the species in the wild. ongoing monitoring of the introduced intelligence on how to achieve the devils along with other native species. depopulation and physical isolation of The large scale protection of healthy The requirements are being incorporated the Peninsula. A pilot project to test the devils, quarantined in their natural into the MITP plan and formalised in a effectiveness of trapping as the primary habitat, is the aim of recent proposals memorandum of understanding with the depopulation method was undertaken in by the Program for island translocation PWS for the ongoing management of the May-June and the results were favourable. and landscape isolation projects. These devil population. A total of 35 devils were caught over 28 projects are also designed to preserve days of trapping (all within the first two the species’ wild traits for future About 50 devils will be released in a weeks); 11 of which were DFTD positive, reintroductions of devils. staged approach over the next two years. A giving a disease prevalence of 31% on the detailed operational plan is being prepared Peninsula. The Program will now proceed The sites most suited to landscape to coordinate the activities needed for a with the second phase of the Project and isolation in have been successful first translocation of around focus on completing the depopulation identified, investigated and assessed over ten animals in November. The devils will and constructing the incursion buffer at the past two years. They include Maria be selected from the IP according to their Dunalley. Island, Forestier, Tasman and Freycinet peninsulas, and Woolnorth in North West Tasmania. Of these, the immediate focus is on Maria Island and Forestier Peninsula. However, some of the other isolation projects may also be progressed with the fundraising assistance of volunteer group, Devil Island Project (DIP). The DIP has already contributed significantly to the Program, being instrumental in Forestier and Tasman peninsulas will be protected from diseased devils and used to

1 SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM NEWSLETTER re-wild healthy Tasmanian devils Heading in Right Direction THE STORY to Save the Devil SO FAR...

An external review of the Save Population (IP) of disease-free devils in The Devil Facial Tumour Disease the Tasmanian Devil Program has order to safeguard the species against (DFTD) is a unique contagious acknowledged that significant extinction and as a source of future cancer that kills all infected devils. achievements have been made since the reintroductions. The target for the IP of It poses a significant threat to the start of the 2008-13 funding period. The 500 devils representing over 98% of the survival of the Tasmanian devil and mid-term review conducted by Landcare species’ genetic diversity was achieved has devastated devil populations in Research New Zealand and commissioned earlier this year – ahead of schedule – the wild. by the Program, concluded that the STDP with the support of the Australian Zoo is performing well against its objectives and Aquarium Association (ZAA). The and is heading in the right direction devils are being held by about 20 of Devil numbers are estimated to regarding the conservation strategies ZAA’s member zoos and parks in captive have declined across the State being implemented. breeding and semi-free range facilities by over 80% as a result of DFTD. spread throughout . At Mt William in NE Tasmania The Program is planning a range of where the disease was first strategies to achieve its vision of “an While excellent progress has also been recorded in 1996, the loss is well enduring and ecologically functioning made in understanding the disease over 90%. population of Tasmanian devils in the and its spread (see page 5), the only wild”. A broad scope is necessary due to management tool currently available to the complex nature of the problem; and prevent the spread of DFTD is to break the the Program has the support of many transmission cycle by preventing healthy The disease has spread in a south- partner organisations, conservation devils from being bitten by diseased ones. westerly direction to cover much specialists and scientific collaborators. This is the purpose of the Program’s most of the State. The disease ‘front’ is It represents the largest threatened recent strategies (ie island translocation currently located just west of the species response in Australia to date, with and landscape isolation projects), which Murchison Highway in the North significant funding from the Australian aim to establish natural populations of West. However, recent cases have and Tasmanian governments. It has also disease-free devils in landscapes protected been recorded within 16 km of the attracted considerable international from the disease. These strategies are now West Coast, and in the Zeehan area interest due to the science behind this rare the focus of the Program along with Devil in 2011 and at Mawbanna in 2012. disease, the uniqueness of the species and Island Project, a community volunteer- the significance of the conservation effort. based organisation that is supporting the Program in constructing free range DFTD produces small lumps in and The first strategy undertaken by the enclosures and some of the landscape around the mouth which develop Program was to secure an Insurance isolation areas. into large tumours on the face and neck. Death follows as a result of starvation and the breakdown of bodily functions.

DFTD is transmitted from animal to animal through biting. The foreign cells of the tumour aren’t recognised by the individual animal’s immune system, which is thought to be due to the nature of the DFTD cells as well a limited genetic variation within the devil population. The next step is re-wilding disease-free devils into large isolated landscapes, which are protected from diseased animals The Tasmanian devil is listed as Endangered under the Australian Government’s Environment WHO WE ARE Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and The Save the Tasmanian Devil Progam is the ’s the official response to the threat of DFTD to the survival of the Tasmanian devil. Threatened Species Protection The Program is a joint initiative of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. Act 1995.

2 SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2012 Freycinet to test the response by the testing the effectiveness of motion Designing a resident devils. activated sounds, lights and short bursts of compressed air or water jets “We’ve collected and viewed over 639 and misters. Devil Road Grid videos of devils interacting with the The landscape isolation strategies grid,” said Doozie. “Ultimately, the landscape isolation require physical barriers to keep barriers will include a range of healthy devils separated from diseased “Our observations show that these measures, such as fencing, road grids, devils. This can be achieved with animals are very determined, agile, behavioural deterrents, monitoring bio-secure fencing except when the strong and versatile when it comes to and trapping,” said Doozie. fence-line is intersected by a road. crossing the grid; they use their tails So finding ways to restrict devil and chins like a movements along roads is a priority 5th and 6th leg for the Program. which suggests that a road grid Meet Dr David (‘Doozie’) Pemberton alone is not who has been investigating various sufficient to configurations of road grids and stop a motivated looking at options for barriers devil!” he said. at Forestier and Freycinet. After receiving specialist engineering “We’re trialling advice, Doozie’s team constructed a modifications to prototype grid (designed to engineers’ the grid, which specifications for use on public roads) look promising in the Free Range Enclosure at and we’re also Devils are agile, strong, versatile and very determined to get across the grid

Maria Island has a single land The Program has invested significant Why Maria tenure; being owned and managed effort to understand the potential by the Tasmanian Government as a impacts of the devil introduction on National Park. The Parks and Wildlife Maria Island, undertaking extensive Island? Service (PWS) is a close partner of monitoring and assessment over Several extensive surveys and the Program; providing additional an 18 month period. The proposal assessments of Tasmania’s offshore resources, expertise and full-time was submitted (but deemed not islands have identified Maria Island PWS staff presence, which enhances required) for assessment under as the best choice for the Program’s biosecurity of the island. Between the Australian Government’s first island translocation effort; 2005 and 2008, Maria Island played Environment Protection and valued for both its suitability for an important quarantine role for Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 devils and for expected cost-benefits Tasmanian devils when the disease was and was scrutinised under the State to the Insurance Population. Experts first noticed but not well understood. Government’s National Parks and consistently rank it highest in terms A facility was constructed including a Reserves Management Act 2002. It of the potential benefit for devils triple fenced five pen enclosure. This was approved by the PWS subject compared with the potential impacts facility is still present and may be used to a set of conditions which reflect such an introduction may have. as temporary housing, to transition unknown aspects of the translocation. animals to or from the island, or for Maria Island is a large island of more hospitalization of injured animals. The Program acknowledges that this than 9,000 Ha, which is important conservation attempt, which is a first when considering the translocation of of its kind, involves some uncertainty a carnivore that travels large distances but agrees with the conclusion made in search of food. It has appropriate by PWS that a “lack of knowledge habitat and a suite of important devil should not prevent action”. The prey species, including wombats, Program will seek to minimise possums and three macropod species potential impacts and reduce any (Forester kangaroo, pademelon and risk by introducing devils in a staged Bennett’s wallaby). Because there are approach, allowing monitoring of no devils on the island, there is no both the devils and their environment, disease; and there are no other major and enabling an immediate response threats such as death by road kill should negative impacts be identified. since there are no public vehicles and roads on the Island. Maria Island is large, contains ideal devil habitat and prey species, and has no disease or roadkill

3 SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2012 DEVIL MANAGEMENT ROUNDUP Insurance Population Contributors The Insurance Population (IP) consists Association (ZAA), which ensures that ZAA member wildlife parks in Tasmania of over 500 disease-free Tasmanian the IP is managed to the standards and 19 on the Australian mainland. devils held in over 20 captive facilities of the International Union for the Healesville Wildlife Sanctury in Victoria located throughout Australia and in Conservation of Nature. The individual and Devil Ark/Australian Reptile Park the Program’s captive facilities and free facilities are managed by ZAA members in NSW are currently the largest range enclosures in Tasmania. The IP and include intensive captive breeding contributors, together providing 60% of contribution by private zoos and parks facilities to allow for specific breeding the mainland IP. is coordinated by the Zoo and Aquarium outcomes. There are two participating

Over 20 zoos and wildlife parks throughout Australia One of the mainland contributors to the Insurance Population, are helping to manage Taronga Zoo has built a Tasmanian Devil Breeding Centre which the Insuarance includes four pens and a public exhibit area Population of devils

STDP Captive Management and Breeding Facilities The DPIPWE captive management central location for exporting captive reintroduced back into the wild under facilities at Taroona, Cressy and Mt devils to participating institutions on future landscape isolation projects. The Pleasant are used to house devils the mainland. The number of devils Mt Pleasant Laboratory facility, which is for various Program purposes. The held at Cressy has effectively doubled currently holding five animals, is used Cressy and Taroona facilities both play in the past 12 months due to the to quarantine devils proven as DFTD a key role in housing and breeding Forestier Peninsula depopulation study, positive, particularly diseased females devils and currently hold 51 and 25 requiring an expansion in the animal carrying pouch young so that they can disease-free devils, respectively. Cressy housing. Once their disease-free status be provided with veterinary care. The is used to quarantine apparently is confirmed, these animals (and in young are removed at a suitable age and disease-free devils brought from the some cases, their pouch young) will incorporated into healthy populations. wild while Taroona has become the be kept until such time as they can be

STDP captive facilities allow devils to be quarantined according to Captively managed healthy devils under the STDP will be kept for disease status and managed for specific breeding requirements future reintroductions or transferred to partner zoos and parks

4 SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2012 DEVIL MANAGEMENT ROUNDUP Tasmania’s Free Range Enclosures

The Program has established a number in Bicheno. The FREs provide some of large bio-secure multi-hectare pens, control over breeding outcomes Free Range Enclosures (FREs) in whilst maintaining wild behaviours partnership with Devil Island Project, in the captive animals, making them a privately funded group responsible more suitable for release back into for setting up the first prototype FRE the wild. Three FREs have been built and a fourth is under construction. FREs are large bio-secure multi-hectare pens The Freycinet FRE covers 22 Ha containing natural habitat that enable semi- captive management of devils and contains a breeding population of 17 adult devils as well as six sub- adults – offspring from the 2011 breeding season. These offspring are 2011 breeding season. Trapping in July now almost adult size and will be revealed that six of the 11 females were removed to other locations before the carrying pouch young. The Bicheno next breeding season. A third cohort FRE consists of 11 Ha managed by is on the way with two of the eight East Coast Natureworld and currently adult females carrying pouch young holds 10 non-breeding female devils. in July. The Bridport FRE is also set A fourth FRE at Tasmania Zoo near FRE’s are proving to be excellent breeding on 22 Ha and contains a breeding Launceston covering 22 Ha is nearing grounds as well as allowing for the maintenance population of 19 adult devils, along completion. of wild behaviour amongst captive devils with 15 sub-adult offspring from the

Disease Research Increases

The number of peer-reviewed research that play a significant role in disease (MHC class II) and report very limited publications relating to Tasmanian resistance and transplantation success. diversity in devils compared to other devils has been steadily increasing For instance, a comparison of MHC studied marsupials. In light of this, since the late 1990’s. There was just loci between devils from West Pencil the authors suggest that their results one publication in 1997 compared with Pine and those from other sites, support the view that devils have 19 in 2011 and 21 have been published showed no predictable difference. compromised capacity to respond already this year. Recent publications This result went against expectations to pathogen evolution (eg DFTD), have reported research from a wide because the infection rates in the emerging infectious diseases and range of scientific fields including West Pencil Pine population initially environmental changes. The authors ecology, immunology and genetics. appeared to be lower than populations also suggest that low MHC class II elsewhere. However since the study, diversity may have arisen from an Over recent months, several important there has been a recent increase in outbreak of infectious disease in the research papers have focused on the infection rates at West Pencil Pine devil’s evolutionary past. Major Histocompatibility Complex site, which could be associated with (MHC) in devils – the region of genes a change in the tumour strain rather than any differences regarding MHC loci. This research was made possible by a technical advance in the isolation and characterisation of MHC genes, detailed in another publication, in which the authors developed a suite of polymorphic microsatellites that will facilitate large-scale investigation of the all important MHC genes.

Peer-reviewed research manuscripts related In another paper, researchers focus A devil with DFTD – both the disease to devils on a particular class of MHC genes and the devils’ immunity are the focus of scientific research

5 SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL APPEAL

based company, Pure Foods Eggs, joined the Appeal as a new corporate sponsor. Tasmanian Support for It will soon launch its Tasmanian devil Scouts helping to free-range “black pack” egg carton raise awareness with 20 cents from each sale going to and funds to save the Devil save the devil. Meanwhile, long term the devil Appeal supporter, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge reinforced importance of fundraising – activities Appeal its commitment for 2013 and Scouts carried out at the Scouts and Guides Tasmania entered a five-year support Regatta in March and at three regional The Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal agreement. Scout’s has the dual purpose Scout ‘Devil Day’ events held at has a unique role in supporting the of educating young scouts about the Trowunna, Bonorong and Wings wildlife fight against DFTD by collecting and Tasmanian devil and demonstrating the parks in August. allocating funds for vital research and management. A quarter of a million The result of these fundraising efforts dollars has been raised already this year is the twice-yearly awards granted via and allocated to key projects, and the the Appeal for a range of research, Appeal has continued to build support management and community projects. amongst corporate sponsors, local Current grants are supporting vital businesses and community groups. university research into the disease while several grants went to local One of the Appeal’s foremost corporate management projects this year. These sponsors, for example, Collins Debden included funding to the Tasmania Zoo hosted a gala dinner in earlier near Launceston and Trowunna Wildlife this year raising $30,000. This is in Park at Mole Creek to improve their addition to its contribution from the devil food storage and preparation areas. sale of the devil diaries – a series which Appeal Manager Rebecca Cuthill accepting a it will repeat this year. The Tasmanian- cheque from Scouts Tasmania at their ‘Devil Day’ at Trowunna Wildlife Park

Monarto Zoo in South Australia got a fabulous display of Tassie devils has played an important role in and we’ll also be adding another three Devils on captive breeding for Tasmanian larger holding pens to our ‘off-limit’ devils since the start of the captive breeding facility at the end of Insurance Population, but a the year,” said Sarah. Display in SA recent grant from the Appeal has enabled the Zoo to value- “Our devil exhibit area is about 270 add to its participation by square metres surrounded by colour- building a public devil display. bond fencing and contains established Sarah Washford, Senior vegetation, natural climbing furniture, Keeper at Monarto explained ponds and den sites. It provides public that even though the Zoo had viewing from ground level through been participating “behind the glass panels and from the deck of our scenes”, only recently has it functions area. been able to educate the public about the devils and promote “The new exhibit allows visitors to see the importance of this national a live Tasmanian devil close up and conservation program. enables us to present information about A new public display of Tasmanian devils at Monarto the species, promoting the important Zoo, funded by the Appeal, is helping to spread the “Thanks to the Appeal’s work we are all doing to ensure its conservation message Management Grant, we’ve now survival,” said Sarah.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, PARKS, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT BL10716 Phone (03) 6233 2006 Fax (03) 6233 3477 Email [email protected] GPO Box 44, , Tasmania 7001, Australia www.tassiedevil.com.au