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Zoos Victoria’s Priority Species harrisii Endangered

The survival of Tasmanian Devils is seriously threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease months of the lesions first appearing. (DFTD). The disease is now found across ~ 97% Through captive-breeding, improved of , sightings of devils have declined by husbandry and research, Zoos Victoria over 80% since 1996, and the species is listed as is committed to saving the Tasmanian Endangered with a decreasing population trend. Devil. We have already established one of DFTD causes tumours which generally appear the largest captive insurance populations around the mouth, face and neck of devils. The and, although further research is critical to disease develops rapidly and is fatal: affected save this iconic species from , usually die within three to twelve we are ready for the fight. Zoos Victoria is committed to Fighting Extinction We are focused on working with partners to secure the survival of our priority species before it is too late.

Tasmanian Devils are the world’s largest living carnivorous and are endemic to the state of Tasmania. A significant proportion of wild Tasmanian Devils are suffering from Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The fatal disease presents itself as cancerous tumours and is transmitted between individuals by biting during social interactions, feeding and mating. Zoos Victoria has established a substantial insurance population of Tasmanian Devils, and is working to ensure that the fitness, health and of the species is maintained for the future.

KEY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The second biggest killer of devils is road •• Breed and manage a captive mortality; an increasing threat to small insurance population. populations. Not only do the disease and roads How can I help? threaten the long-term survival of Devils, but •• Support wild populations and research. the decline of this carnivorous marsupial may We are working on conducting •• Conduct further research into captive have severe ecological impacts. If populations breeding and management techniques. of Tasmanian Devils are reduced, feral predators further research to support •• Increase community awareness and such as foxes and cats may have more our wild and captive support for the Tasmanian Devil. opportunities to establish, with drastic impacts on native Tasmanian fauna including bandicoots, populations, but we still need PROGRAM OUTCOMES , and New Holland Mice. all the support we can get. •• Increased breeding success, with over 150 THE PLAN young produced since intensive management You can support our Wildlife of the captive population began in 2009. The following critical next steps will enable Conservation Master Plan Zoos Victoria, along with our partners, to move •• Releases of captive devils to a DFTD-free forward knowing that we are doing everything 2019-2024 by donating at: island and peninsulas in 2013, 2015 and 2017. we can to prevent the extinction of this species: •• Established specialised breeding zoo.org.au/donate New intensive breeding and free-range enclosures to house $650,000 enclosures. captive individuals. Installing virtual road fences •• Conducted cutting edge research to with the Save the Tasmanian $300,000 PROGRAM PARTNERS improve reproductive success whilst Devil program. maintaining natural behaviours, social Aussie Ark structures, diet and morphology and Molecular research into aussieark.org.au managing populations long-term. resistance and tolerance to $30,000 Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Deakin University •• Worked with partners on new technology deakin.edu.au Invest in new Crittercam including Crittercam collars to unravel $120,000 Camera and drone technology. National Geographic the devil’s wild secrets. Research and management nationalgeographic.com •• Supported partners investigating possible of Devils in mainland free- $420,000 disease resistance or tolerance evolving Save the Tasmanian Devil Program ranging enclosures. in wild devils. tassiedevil.com.au Collecting new Devils from $30,000 The Carnivore Conservancy THE SPECIES the wild. carnivores.com Constructing new large Although often a solitary , Tasmanian $300,000 group enclosure. Devils can be raucous communal feeders when sydney.edu.au chancing upon the same meal. The haunting Understanding the endocrinology $45,000 noises they make in such situations resulted in of Devil breeding and lactation. the species being named ‘devils’ by European Maintaining Zoos Victoria’s utas.edu.au settlers in Tasmania. Individuals will regularly Tasmanian Devil captive $2,300,000 Victoria University show aggression towards each other for breeding efforts and displays. vu.edu.au dominance over food and breeding partners. Installing signage and providing Zoo & Aquarium Association and numerous It is this behaviour that has contributed to the support to assist in road kill $30,000 devastating spread of DFTD. Zoo and Sanctuary partners supporting the hotspots with new virtual fencing. captive insurance program Since DFTD was first observed in 1996, sightings Activations at our zoos and online zooaquarium.org.au of Tasmanian Devils have declined by over 80% that aim to increase community $20,000 across Tasmania, with some populations losing care and knowledge. up to 97% of devils. The disease is now found Total cost over five years $4,245,000 across ~97% of Tasmania and is moving in a north-westerly direction across the state.

Find out more zoo.org.au/fightingextinction