threatened species

Threatened Species

of

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Department of Primary Industries and Water plants and A celebration of all our native plantsanimals and

On Threatened Species Day we is only one of 684 listings on the area is protected in some form While National The irreversible here will be even more should all consider the importance Threatened Species List. Other of reserve, which is a fact that the Threatened impact of the catastrophic, if they were to SJREXMZI¾SVEERHJEYRESRXLI species include the orange-bellied whole Tasmanian community can Species Day establish. Bandicoot, bettong, variety of islands that make up parrot, the Miena jewel , the be proud of. Private landowners potoroo and many species of on September 7 remembers the Tasmania. The rich wedge-tailed eagle, Baudins sea- and land managers are continuing ground nesting birds would rapidly extinction of the , the day and beauty of our ecosystem is lavender, myrtle elbow orchid and to make protection of natural The European red fox has had a disappear from our landscape, as is as much about caring for all our renowned, and its uniqueness swamp eyebright. values a high priority. These devastating and irreversible impact they have done already from the native wildlife as it is about those celebrated. facts augur well for the future of on native wildlife across mainland mainland. Some may disappear under threat. All species of plant Recovery plans and private land Tasmania’s beautiful and unique %YWXVEPMEERHMWMHIRXM½IHMR before we realise it. and hold an important The recent listing of the iconic programs are both examples plants and animals. Australian Government legislation as a threatened of the way the Tasmanian place in Tasmania’s unique as a key threatening condition. With the rapid decline of the species, due to the ravages of Government is working in environment – with innovation, Tasmanian devil, which may have the Facial Tumour Disease, was a conjunction with the Australian perseverance and hard work we As Tasmania is now a last refuge until recently helped protect harsh and powerful reminder of Government, the State’s three David Llewellyn GERTVSXIGXSYVREXMZI¾SVEERH for so many small mammals and against foxes establishing, it is fauna for future generations. birds, the impact of the red fox the vulnerability of our wildlife and Regional Natural Resource Minister for absolutely critical to keep Tasmania plants. The combined efforts to Management groups and the Primary Fox Free. help save the devil is a heartening broader community to protect Industries 3 example of how much we do SYVQEKRM½GIRXREXYVEPXETIWXV] and Water value our native creatures, but it About 45% of Tasmania’s total land

Our Threatened Species

PLANTS Species ANIMALS Species Threatened (land, marine & freshwater) Threatened Eucalypts, other tree types 18 Mammals and 12 Shrubs 106 Birds 35

Herbs 155 Reptiles and amphibians 10 Mesibov B. Orchids 71 Fish 15 Contents Unchanged for millions of years, these Tasmania has three threatened Lilies 9 Freshwater 66 caterpillar-like creatures are often species. The rare giant velvet worm Sedges, etc 44 7 Did You Know Threatened Species 3 called are often called a missing link can extend to 75mm in length when Grasses 35 Cave species 14 between the annelid worms and walking, and is a stunning pink/mauve Velvet worms are amazing. They Ferns 19 &IIXPIWERHFYXXIV¾MIW 16 . They live deep in the colour. It occurs only in the north-east, Kids Pages 8 are all cloaked in velvet and capture Lichens and others 30 Land snails and velvet worms 11 heart of old, decaying logs, emerging at near Scamander. XLIMVTVI]F]INIGXMRKEWXMGO]¾YMH Other 11 night to hunt for food. Tasmanian Devil 10 from their head. Total 487 species Total 197 species

Managing Editor - Nadeen Burge

Editor - Janette Kirkman www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecies Designer - Brett Littleton For cover photo credits, see throughout the booklet Carol Kroger Simon de Salis Orange-bellied Parrot Pedder

With fewer than 150 orange- far south-west. While the bird’s Tasmania’s endemic freshwater Fortunately, this critically bellied parrots surviving in the breading areas are well protected, ½WLXLI4IHHIVKEPE\MEWSRGI endangered species still exists wild, one of ’s highest the orange-bellied parrot is occurred only in the original Lake today because of an insurance The species is very susceptible TVS½PIVIGSZIV]TVSKVEQWGIRXVIW threatened by weeds and feral Pedder and its adjoining lakes population that was established in to stress and efforts to hold it in on saving this critically endangered predators such as foxes and cats in and streams. The species declined a trout-free lake in the Western tanks, as well as captive breeding species. It is a migratory bird that its feeding grounds in and dramatically after the damming of . The insurance programs, have been largely breeds only in Tasmania’s South Australia. and its catchment so population bred successfully unsuccessful. by the mid 1980s, it could only be and is today thriving. A second banded. Orange-bellied parrots There are 11 native freshwater Every year, volunteers help to JSYRHMREJI[MR¾S[MRKWXVIEQW translocation site now holds a record the number of adult birds are also bred in captivity in three ½WLPMWXIHSR7XEXIERH%YWXVEPMER Did You Know small number of Pedder galaxias returning from the mainland Australian States, with offspring Its natural habitat had been invaded Government threatened species but these have been slow to register – almost half of our 25 In January 2004, a Tasmanian man to their breeding grounds at released into the wild to help by the aggressive brown trout and establish and yet to breed. REXMZIJVIWL[EXIV½WLWTIGMIW found a dead beetle lodged in the tray Melaleuca. boost the population. the climbing galaxias, both quickly of his ute. Why was this so special? out-competing the Pedder galaxias Little is known of the species’ life Orange-bellied parrots breed in Every year in March, orange- Because it was the Miena jewel for food and habitat. history in the wild. It is thought forests that fringe the south-west bellied parrots begin their beetle, previously thought to have that Pedder galaxias mature buttongrass plains. Feeding stations northern migration to coastal &]XLIQMHW½WLGSYPHRSX been extinct since the 1960s. Several at three or four years of age Did You Know are established at Melaleuca and Victoria and South Australia. They be found in Lake Pedder or its [IIOWPEXIVE½WLIVQEREX0MXXPI4MRI and spawn in spring as water at Birchs Inlet, south of Strahan, travel up Tasmania’s west coast, tributaries and it has now become Late spring is the best time to spy 0EKSSRMHIRXM½IHEWIGSRHWTIGMQIR temperatures rise. where more than 100 nest boxes spending time on King Island, and extinct in the wild. the rare fairy lantern (Thismia Both men had read about the ‘extinct’ have been erected to enable other islands in the Hunter group, rodwayi). It’s a very small herb that beetle in a newspaper several months chicks to be measured and colour before crossing Bass Strait. grows in wet forests in southern and earlier…just as you are doing now. www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecies northern Tasmania. It is rarely seen The endangered jewel beetle is highly because it lives hidden underground decorated and has vivid jewel-like Baudins Sea-lavender Miena Cider Gum for most of the year feeding on the colours and patterns. For centuries rotting parts of other plants. But in late spring you might see its bright- 4 jewel have been used for Baudins sea-lavender (Limonium It has a cluster of spoon-shaped Miena cider gum ( gunnii oozed from holes in the trunk and 5 brooches, earrings and dress pins. baudinii) was collected from leaves at its base, with an erect subsp. divaricata) is so named branches ferments at the base of SVERKI¾S[IVW¯PSSOMRKVIQEVOEFP] They feed on nectar and adult beetles Tasmania in 1802 during the ¾S[IVLIEHXLEXETTIEVWMRPEXI because Aborigines and early the tree. The small rounded and like small lanterns – within the leaf ¾]MRXLI(IGIQFIV.ERYEV]TIVMSH voyage of the French explorer, WYQQIV8LI¾S[IVWEVIUYMXI stockmen tapped its sap and waxy young leaves are popular PMXXIVSRXLIJSVIWX¾SSV8LI]EVISRP] Nicolas Baudin. But it wasn’t until small and papery, with tiny yellow fermented it to form a cider. One [MXL¾SVMWXW one or two centimeters tall, so keep a the 1980s that a botanist in Russia petals. Plants grow from seed quite of 32 eucalypt species native to close eye out! recognised it as a ‘new’ species. LETTMP]TVSHYGMRKPIEZIWMRXLI½VWX Tasmania, it is now endangered The Miena cider gum evolved in a 8SHE]MXMWGPEWWM½IHEWZYPRIVEFPI ]IEVERH¾S[IVWMRXLIRI\X]IEV – dying in large numbers as it cooler and wetter , growing with fewer than 1,000 known struggles to cope with the warmer, on the edges of frost hollows on plants. Baudins sea-lavender is at risk drier summers brought about by the Central Plateau. It is one of because it grows in only a few climate change. the most frost tolerant eucalypts Baudins sea-lavender is closely patches of salt marsh, close to known. Putting further pressure related to statice, a well known a built-up area. Salt marsh is In summer, cider gums often smell on the species is the fact that any KEVHIRTPERXERHHVMIH¾S[IV sensitive to damage by stock and of rotting apples as sap that has regrowth following stress Sally Bryant vehicles, or changes to drainage. is especially delicious to browsing Justine Shaw The Department of Primary animals and insects. Industries and Water (DPIW) monitors populations of Baudins To help protect the Miena cider sea-lavender to make sure that gum, the last remaining live stands any threatening processes are are being fenced, seedlings caged MHIRXM½IHERHEHHVIWWIHUYMGOP] and plantings established to help prevent this species becoming extinct.

Oberon Carter Richard Schahinger Hans Wapstra Philip Herron

Spotted Handfish Green and Gold Frog and Striped Marsh Frogs MRXS³LERHW[MXL½RKIVW´XLEXEVI ,ERH½WLPE]PEVKIIKKW[LMGL used for walking across the sea cluster in masses around You can help limit the spread of this FSXXSQ,ERH½WLEVIGPSWIP] WXVYGXYVIWSRXLIWIE¾SSV8LI disease by not transferring frogs related to members of the association between egg masses between sites, by cleaning mud TVMQMXMZI%RKPIV½WLJEQMP][LMGL and a suitable laying structure is from boots before travelling into have a spiny membrane on top of essential for their survival. The eggs remote and sensitive areas and by Mark Green their head as a lure to attract food. EVILIPHXSKIXLIVF]½RIXLVIEHW These two threatened species are large, reporting to DPIW any mainland When the membrane is raised it and guarded by the female until If you aren’t sure whether the robust and brightly coloured frogs. frogs accidentally imported into the VIWIQFPIWEKMERX½R they hatch. hands are legs or the legs are State via fresh produce. The vulnerable green and gold frog hands, it makes no difference if 8LIVIEVI½ZILERH½WLWTIGMIW Once common in south-eastern is a tree frog. The male makes a low Striped marsh frogs prefer to live XLI]FIPSRKXSE½WL8EWQERME´W in Tasmania, all found in very Tasmania, today there are only a growling call during summer and on the ground hiding in dense nationally endangered spotted restricted populations in shallow few very small colonies remaining. can often be seen sun-baking in . They are voracious LERH½WLLEWTIGXSVEP½RWQSHM½IH VIIJLEFMXEXW8LIWTSXXIHLERH½WL The CSIRO monitors these www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecies the open. It once occurred broadly hunters and will eat almost [EW½VWXGSPPIGXIHF]4IVSRMR populations and undertakes across northern and eastern anything smaller than themselves. 1802 during the French expedition localised recovery actions, such as Tasmania, the Derwent Valley, and The species is listed as rare and is led by Baudin, making it one of replacing spawning structures. Did You Know the but today populations also under threat from introduced XLIIEVPMIWXHIWGVMFIH½WLIWJVSQ are small and fragmented. Recently ½WLWTIGMIWERHHMWIEWI7IZIVEP Tasmania’s wedge-tailed Australia. discovered in Tasmania, the frog conservation actions are in place eagle is Australia’s largest bird of disease Chytrid fungus poses a and involve survey and protecting prey. Our eagles, which have been Did You Know WMKRM½GERXVMWOXSSYVREXMZIJVSKW their habitat. isolated from mainland counterparts for thousands of years, are highly There are only three known plants territorial and can have up to three or of the myrtle elbow orchid more nests in their territory. Females Sand Grasstree Swamp Eyebright (Thynninorchis nothofagicola), and are larger than males by 15%, and can these are found near Strathgordon, 6 weigh around 5kg. The wing span of The near-coastal areas of north- Areas in the north-east are being About 20 swamp eyebright de Labillardière during his visit in Tasmania’s south-west. Part of 7 this massive bird is up to 2.2m. One eastern Tasmania, between actively managed to keep them (Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. to Recherche Bay in 1792. The XLI¾S[IVSJXLMWIRHERKIVIH eagle in Tasmania is known to be more Bridport and Coles Bay, are the free of Phytophthora, making them psilanthera) are all that survive species was then thought to be species swings on a hinge and looks than 40 years old. only areas that sand grasstree a haven for plants such as the sand in a small patch of swampy extinct until it was rediscovered in remarkably like a native wasp. Male (Xanthorrhoea arenaria) occur. A grasstree. The disease ground in the Southport Lagoon 1985. wasps are attracted to the wasp look- major threat is the root-rotting may be spread in mud Conservation Area, making this alike by a scent that mimics a female disease Phytophthora. attached to vehicles species one of Australia’s most The swamp eyebright is one of [EWT8LI¾S[IVMWTSPPMREXIH[LIR or even boots, so it is critically endangered. 22 eyebright species in Tasmania, XLI[EWTW[MRKWXLI¾S[IVLMRKI As its name suggests, the sand important to clean all so named because extracts [LIRXV]MRKXSQEXI[MXLXLI¾S[IV grasstree prefers sandy soils. It has gear before walking The swamp eyebright was have long been used for treating a cluster of spiky leaves that are among the grasstrees. ½VWXGSPPIGXIHF]XLI*VIRGL eye ailments. They are short- RIEVP]EQIXVIPSRKERHEJXIV½VIMX explorer Jacques-Julien Houtou lived semi parasitic herbs that TVSHYGIWEXLMGO[SSH]¾S[IVMRK Tasmania has three obtain moisture and nutrients stem that grows up to 60cm high. species of grasstree. by attaching their roots to other There are masses of tiny cream The shiny grasstree plants. Swamp eyebrights are ¾S[IVWEXXLIIRHSJXLI¾S[IV (Xanthorrhoea bracteata) susceptible to “drying out” due to spike – which are pollinated by MWERSXLIVGPEWWM½IHEW the threats associated with areas native bees. vulnerable. I\TIVMIRGMRKQSHM½IHHVEMREKISV more frequent or severe . Les Rubenach

Philip Herron Greg Jordan Greg Justine Shaw Hey kids, can you name our precious litangir mossup Tasmanian Animals? Unscramble the letters to reveal the correct names and write them underneath. (answers on the back page)

degew-detail geela

genaro-lidbeel rotpar

tereg groanyfld

8 9

regen dan dolg gorf

s’nettenb byllawa

matsanani viled

Illustration by Brett Littleton by Illustration www.dpiw.tas.gov.au www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecies Department of Primary Industries and Water www.tassiedevil.com.au Tasmanian Simon de Salis Save the Tasmanian Devil Devils again Devils of interest Program thriving in the Monitoring for the spread of the wild DFTD takes place at trapping devil sites across the state. This work Everyone involved in the ‘Save the provides information about the Our much-loved Tasmanian devil “Facial wounds and abscesses are Tasmanian Devil’ Program wants spread of the disease, and the 15 July 2006 (Sarcophilus harrisii) is in trouble common in older devils,” Nick to again see the devil thriving in impact on local devil populations. and needs help. later explained, “but these cancer- A collaborative the wild. Another advantage of the wild like lumps were quite different. In monitoring program is that it We have taken for granted that 20 years working with devils, I’d effort The recovery strategy supported allows researchers to follow the the devil will always be around. never seen such gross external by the Australian and Tasmanian The work needed to save the progress of individual Tasmanian But things have changed rapidly tumours.” Governments together with UTAS, Tasmanian devil is urgent and devils and look for any signs of ERHXLIWTIGMIWMWJEGMRKE½KLX features a range of approaches to offers tremendous scope for resistance to the disease. for survival. People around the A decade later, the symptoms are provide the species with the best world are shocked and want to tragically too familiar. The Devil collaboration. Scientists across 5 October 2006 chance of survival. The top priority Of the 46 diseased animals that know how to help. Armed with Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) Australia – as well as New is the need for further insurance WGMIRXM½GSJ½GIV&MPPMI0E^IRF]LEW knowledge, community support, appears to be a new condition Zealand and the United States strategies. marked since she started trapping and a multi-pronged, cooperative that is restricted to Tasmanian – have already begun research into the DFTD. at Fentonbury in June 2004, she’s ETTVSEGLXLMW½KLXQYWXFI[SR HIZMPW8LIWGMIRXM½GGSRWIRWYWMW “We already have captive breeding only recaptured 10 more than that it is a transmissible cancer. populations established, and The core of the program once. Once a devil gets DFTD it reproducing, on the mainland,” continues to be co-ordinated by is fatal and it appears that they Devils with Once the cancer becomes visible, said Dr Steve Smith, manager of the DPIW in partnership with usually die within three months it always appears to be fatal - the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’ 9 January 2007 ghastly facial the Australian Government and and are not trapped again. Of the usually within several months. Program. growths University of Tasmania (UTAS). It 10 diseased animals caught twice, Small lumps in and around the focuses on seven key areas: “We’re also addressing questions only two individuals have been Tasmanian devil numbers were mouth quickly develop into large such as how many Tasmanian caught more than twice – a devil estimated to be at a record high • Disease suppression and tumours on the face and neck. devils we need in an insurance with a tumour that seemed to in the early 1990s, and the largest population studies population to maintain genetic shrink for a while before growing meat-eating alive today Death results from starvation and • Implementation of the Insurance 10 diversity, and whether we need rapidly again (pictured at right), 11 was considered common. the breakdown of body functions. Population Strategy wild, island populations in addition and a second female, which was • Diagnostic laboratory support 27 April 2007 But in 1996 a wildlife Spotlighting data across the state to captive populations.” three years old. Both diseased photographer, Christo Baars, indicates that there has been a JSVXLI½IPHTVSKVEQERH females successfully weaned their insurance population Other goals for the program photographed a number of devils 53% decline in sightings of devils young before being overwhelmed include the suppression of the in the state’s north-east with WMRGIXLI½VWXVITSVXSJXLI • Monitoring the of the by the cancer. disease in the wild, the delivery ghastly facial growths. disease. In the north-east, where tumour of an effective vaccine against the “The long-term ecological &EEVW½VWXTLSXSKVETLIHXLI • Disease prevention and monitoring program allows us Back in , he showed the disease, there has been an 89% tumour, an anti-cancer treatment The Australian Government is treatment to follow the progress of pouch photographs to Nick Mooney, decline of average spotlighting for infected Tasmanian devils and WYTTSVXMRKXLI½KLXXSWEZIXLI ˆ7GMIRXM½GHMVIGXMSRERHSZIVZMI[ young from such interesting a wildlife biologist with the sightings. a selectively bred population with Tasmanian Devil with a grant of Department of Primary Industries • Community awareness and increased hereditary resistance. individuals,” said Billie. “They may $3 million. and Water (DPIW). 8LIHMWIEWILEWFIIRGSR½VQIHEX program management have something special about 60 different locations across 59% them, so we also take blood and For further information on of the State. Thankfully, monitoring tissue samples to see what can be Threatened Species Day go to: in July this year at Woolnorth, learnt from them.” www.environment.gov.au/

in the far north-west, provided www.tassiedevil.com.au biodiversity/threatened/ts-day/ extremely strong evidence that index.html the disease has not yet spread further west than the Cradle Mountain area. Simon de Salis Charlotte McKenzie Simon de Salis

“Devils have probably previously Volunteers can Helping the Devil • Suppressing the disease by Captive populations are managed acted as a buffer to fox removing infected animals, in zoos, wildlife parks and some establishment in Tasmania. But really make a to survive in the EPXLSYKLXLMWGERFIHMJ½GYPX government facilities. with their decline, that measure difference wild • Selectively breeding resistant Wild populations may include of protection for the State is now animals. drastically reduced. Volunteers with the ‘Save the Is the Tasmanian devil doomed introducing devils to offshore Tasmanian Devil’ program can as a result of the facial tumour • Developing a vaccine to islands or fencing off large “It seems we have taken our little really make a difference. Who disease? prevent the disease. peninsulas. Disease suppression devils for granted.” makes a good volunteer? Anyone Professor McCallum said the through the removal of diseased This was the unnerving question from a student to a retiree, or a dramatic effect of the disease devils from an isolated wild A fully established fox population raised at a recent series of public local to an overseas visitor. All you demanded an urgent response. population is currently our only would prey on at least 70 lectures, hosted across the State really need is a willingness to lend The good news is that cutting- method for controlling the disease Sympathy for the vertebrate species, directly by UTAS. a hand. edge research is now under way. in the wild. If the disease can be endangering seven. Overall, the Devil Management programs are also eradicated on fenced peninsulas, annual cost to the Tasmanian :SPYRXIIVTVSKVEQW½XMRXSXLI Professor Hamish McCallum, from being developed to give the these large areas could become an What would it matter if we did economy would be up to $20 broad categories of: the UTAS School of Zoology and Tasmanian devil the very best important part of the “ark”. lose the Tasmanian devil, or even million, including the effect on senior scientist for the ‘Save the • Field monitoring: trapping at Tasmanian Devil’ program, went chance of survival. if its numbers reduced so much tourism and agriculture, as well 8LI½VWXHMWIEWIWYTTVIWWMSRXVMEP a number of sites across the straight to the point with the bad it was not ecologically functional? as the on-going expense of “There are very early signs that being undertaken by Dr Menna State, with surveys typically news: if we do nothing, research Well, the environmental and controlling the fox impact. there may be a few resistant Jones on the Forestier and Tasman going for 11 - 12 days. suggests that the Tasmanian devil agricultural impacts are already animals out there,” Professor peninsulas, is returning encouraging will be extinct within 20 to 30 being felt. A modern-day Ark • Wild management: helping with McCallum said, “and animals are preliminary results. disease suppression trials on years. now being found with smaller www.tassiedevil.com.au The decline in devil numbers The Tasmanian devils sent to the the Forestier-Tasman Peninsulas. “There is a continuing decline tumours. They are being detected means there are now large Australian Reptile Park in NSW, A typical survey goes for in the devil population as a earlier in the development stage, amounts of surplus food in the as part of our captive breeding approximately 11 - 12 days. result of this disease,” Professor which is also good news. landscape – up to 70 tonnes a population, have been doing their • Captive management: assisting McCallum said. “In the north-east, day – and other have job! One female was discovered to “Scientists are actually managing with the day-to-day care of the population is less than 10 per noticed! The biggest concerns are have young in the pouch shortly to have an effect on the overall ‘insurance population’ devils, cent of what it was in 1996. On the introduced, invasive species, after she was sent to Gosford last management of the disease.” 12 being held in quarantine the east coast, we have seen a 13 like feral cats, dogs and European Christmas, and now three more facilities. rapid decline, and it is now moving wasps. devils are carrying young – a If volunteering sounds like through the Midlands.” Maintaining genetic further 10 juvenile devils for the “But the biggest single threat to something that might interest you, “Project Ark” insurance population. diversity? the is the fox,” then information and volunteer The north-west corner appears to have remained disease-free, but The concept of an ‘ark’ has said Nick Mooney, wildlife biologist Earlier this year, Currumbin registration forms are available predictions suggest the disease been developed to maintain the with DPIW. ;MPHPMJI7ERGXYEV]EPWSGSR½VQIH from the ‘Save the Tasmanian devil’ Dydee Mann could reach that area within three Tasmanian devil as an ecologically that one of the female devils that program. Ph: 03 6233 2006 or years. A normal, healthy Tasmanian functional species in the wild. were shipped there was carrying Email: DevilDisease.Enquiries@ The goal is to retain 95% genetic four young in her pouch. dpiw.tas.gov.au HIZMPPMZIWJSVFIX[IIR½ZIERHWM\ years, but a diseased devil will only diversity for 50 years – and to The 47 animals in ‘Project Ark’ live about six months. do this, between 1700 and 5000 were sent to four mainland devils are needed in protected Professor McCallum outlined four wildlife parks. They could play an populations. things that can be done to help important role, if ever needed, save the Tasmanian devil: Insurance populations need to in helping to re-establish healthy comprise both captive and wild populations in Tasmania. • Removing some devils to a animals. place the disease can’t reach (a modern-day ark) to create an “insurance” population. The Australian Reptile Park Australian The Simon de Salis DPIW/UTAS

Detecting a devil ACROSS Researcher, Dr Michael A contagious showed that Tasmanian devils Breadmore, said that unlike failed to recognise cells from other of a disease conventional approaches to pre cancer? devils as different. UTAS A test that can detect DFTD clinical diagnostic tests, which Unlike the various cancers that This strongly suggests that a lack of before individuals show any typically look for just one unique strike , DFTD has a very genetic diversity among Tasmanian obvious symptoms is an important bio marker, this research covers rare feature - it is one of only devils helps to make the cancer part of the research into the the entire protein makeup of the three cancers that can spread like infectious. In other words, when disease. devil. a contagious disease. a healthy devil is infected with Scientists from the Australian “The conventional approach Usually, cancer cannot be “caught”. DFTD from another animal, the Centre for Research on focuses only on one aspect The cancer cells from one infected devil’s immune system Separation Science (ACROSS) at - for example, the left eye - and individual are totally different to assumes the cancerous cells are differences in its size and colour,” part of its own body and does not UTAS, as well as researchers from another individual, so they are to recognise the cancer cells as he said. “The new approach will be reject them. DPIW, are slowly building a picture rejected by the immune system infectious, which will then alert the of proteins contained in the blood based on looking at all parts of a when they are transferred. The daunting task ahead is to Tasmanian devil’s immune system serum of healthy Tasmanian devils. face - eyes, nose, mouth, hairs, ears, teach the devil’s immune system to destroy these cancer cells. This can then be compared with eyebrows, cheeks - and compare The fact that DFTD breaks the proteins in the serum of devils them at every level, thus building this rule raises many questions with the disease. up a more complete and reliable about the immune system of diagnostic.” the Tasmanian devil - questions Public lectures with the latest updates Minor changes in the protein which are being investigated by a Would you like to know more about insurance strategies for Tasmanian TVS½PIQE]FIEPPXLEXMWJSYRH Developing the pre clinical team of researchers, led by UTAS devils and wild management trials? Then come along to the UTAS public so the research must use state- diagnostic test is a long process, How you can Associate Professor, Greg Woods. lecture series. of-the-art, sensitive analytical but will eventually help to develop help to save our a test which can be used in the As part of this research, PhD instrumentation and ultra-sensitive Tasmanian Devil: Hobart chemistry. This is being developed wild to detect diseased devils student Alex Kreiss has used blood WEQTPIWXSGSR½VQXLEX8EWQERMER within ACROSS. It will eventually before they show any tumours. • Feed the Qantas Tasmanian 6pm, Tuesday 11th September, Stanley Burbury Theatre devils have a fully functional enable scientists to map the entire Devil collection sculptures University of Tasmania (Sandy Bay). immune system. So the pressing pattern of proteins with the devil located at Hobart, Launceston, Professor Hamish McCallum – Introduction and overview. 14 The Tasmanian question is how the tumours can 15 serum and to detect even the Sydney and Melbourne Dr Menna Jones – What are we doing to save the Tasmanian devil? Wild develop? Why aren’t the devil smallest of changes. Devil Appeal domestic terminals, Tasmanian management at Forestier Peninsula and the potential of offshore islands. facial tumour cells rejected by the Parks and Wildlife Visitor The University of Tasmania, in immune system? Launceston partnership with the Tasmanian Centres at Freycinet, Cradle Government, has launched an Mountain and Lake St Clair and The devil-to-devil transmission 6pm, Wednesday 12th September, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery appeal to raise funds for vital the Queen Victoria Museum suggests that this cancer is similar Inveresk Theatre. research into all aspects of DFTD. and Art Gallery. to a transplant. But in this case, Dr Steven Smith – Introduction and overview. • Mail your donations to the transplant is not a life-saving Professor Hamish McCallum - What are we doing to save the Tasmanian This public appeal raises funds The Tasmanian Devil Appeal, organ but a life-threatening cancer. devil? Wild management at Forestier Peninsula and the potential of for research and on-going University of Tasmania Further tests have been done to offshore islands. management programs, aimed Foundation, investigate whether the Tasmanian Burnie at protecting this extraordinary Private Bag 40, devil has the correct genes to species in the wild. Our hope is Hobart, 7001 allow recognition of foreign cells. 7pm, Thursday 13th September, Burnie Civic Centre. to raise a minimum of $1 million or phone 6226 2053. Dr Steven Smith – Introduction and overview. by the end of 2008 – and you This was done by taking • Donate online at Dr Menna Jones - What are we doing to save the Tasmanian devil? Wild lymphocytes (the key cell in the have already helped us to raise management at Forestier Peninsula and the potential of offshore islands.

tassiedevil.com.au www.tassiedevil.com.au more than $250,000. Scholarships immune system) from many devils and Research Grants of more Donations over $2 are tax and mixing them to see if they For further enquiries email: than $100,000 have already been deductible. reacted to each other. The results [email protected] or phone: 6226 2521. awarded from Appeal funds.

Graeme Harrington What you can do to protect Tasmania’s native plants and animals

• Be aware! Learn more about Tasmania’s unique plants and wildlife. There are lots of books, many free guides and heaps of information on the Department of Primary Industries and Water website. www.dpiw.tas.gov.au • Take responsibility for your household and personal garbage. Recycle where possible, and keep the bush and the water free of rubbish like plastic, glass and household waste. • Keep your dogs and cats in at night and don’t let them roam. • Visiting your national parks and reserves is a great way to learn about Tasmania’s wildlife. • Walk on the waterline at the beach so you don’t disturb nesting shorebirds. ˆ &IVIWTSRWMFPI[MXL½VIERHQEOIWYVIXLI½VI[SSH you use doesn’t have animal nest hollows in it. • Garden clippings can become bush weeds if they aren’t properly disposed of. If possible, only plant species that don’t pose a threat to native bush. For more information on weeds, pests and diseases, including a weeds index, go to www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/weeds • Stick to marked tracks in the bush and wash down your gear. This will help prevent the spread of introduced diseases, such as root rot.

Answers to kid’s activity:

HIZMP SVERKIFIPPMIHTEVVSX[IHKIXEMPIHIEKPIHVEKSR¾]XEWQERMER ringtail possum, bennett’s , egret, green and gold frog, frog, gold and green egret, wallaby, bennett’s possum, ringtail Illustration by Brett Littleton by Illustration

Department of Primary Industries and Water www.dpiw.tas.gov.au 134 Macquarie Street www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecies GPO Box 44, Hobart, 7001 www.tassiedevil.com.au Tasmania