Peel Zoo Is Helping to Save The Tasmanian Devil

Devils Need Angels

Are you an Angel? Because if you are, Peel Zoo has some little Devils seriously in need of your help.

Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease
A Tasmanian Devils with advanced symptoms of the DFTD. This image was published in a Public Library of Science journal: To Lose Both Would Look Like Carelessness: Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease. McCallum H, Jones M, PLoS Biology Vol. 4/10/2006, e342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0040342. It is published here under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license.

Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), has devastated the wild population in Tasmania. The Devil is now listed as Endangered by Federal and State governments. It is on the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The species is vulnerable to extinction.

DFTD, characterised by cancers around the mouth and head, was first observed in February 2006. The positioning of the tumours restricts a Devil’s ability to eat. A few months after the tumours become visible, infected Devils usually starve to death.

DFTD is present across more than 60% of Tasmania. In fact, in some areas, the wild population Devils has declined by up to 95%.

Little is known about the affliction, other than the fact that it spreads like a contagious disease. It appears to pass from one Devil to another when saliva is exchanged while biting.

At present, there is no cure for the disease and no way of stopping it ravaging the native stocks in Tasmania.

Our Breeding Programme

Peel Zoo is fortunate enough to look after 4 Tasmanian Devils; 1 male and 3 females. Our aim is to breed quarantined animals, free from DFTD. In doing this we ensure there is a disease free population available to be released back into the wild, when the time comes. In the meantime, the insurance population on the mainland of Australia, serves a valuable role in educating the public about the fragility of our native fauna.

Donations

If you would like to donate to Peel Zoo, and help us care for endangered species and other Australian wildlife, please click the button below. Thank You.

 

Of course, you can always pop into the Zoo, see the Devils live, and make donations directly to us. However, Peel Zoo is partnered in our efforts to save the Tasmanian Devils by the following organisations. Each of these organisations has a donation tin on their front counter. So, please visit these businesses and drop a little loose change into the Devil tins. Be an Angel and support businesses that support Peel Zoo.

  • Blockbuster Video – 120 Pinjarra Road, Mandurah WA. Phone: (08) 9581 4440