What Will Become of the Tasmanian Devil?
My father, for years, carried a Tazmanian Devil doll in his truck. Technically, it was the character Taz from Bugs Bunny. Since I was born, my dad always told me Taz was his favorite cartoon character and that Tazzies or Tasmanian Devils have always fascinated him. I am incredibly sad to say that Tasmanian Devils have now found themselves on the Endangered list.
Photo: Tasmanian Devil with facial tumor disease.
Credit: Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water
Tasmanian Devils are the world's largest (surviving) marsupial carnivore. They are known best by their famous feeding habits, usually becoming so frenzied and aggressive during feeding. These unique and beautiful creatures are being wiped off the face of the planet by a facial tumour disease.
In a number of local and regional populations, up to 90% of individuals have died. Without intervention, the Tasmanian Devil will soon fall onto the same list as its relative, the Tasmanian Tiger. Since the mid-1990's, this disease has taken its effect on the Devil becoming voracious in the last couple years.
Photo: Cancer spreads to the mouth, making it impossible to eat.
Credit: Save The Tasmanian Devil Program
Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a contagious form of cancer which is spread by biting. DFTD was discovered in 1996 and resulted in research that revealed that the cancer is spread from one another through fighting. Seeing as Devils are both territorial and incredibly aggressive, biting and fighting are, unfortunately, a natural occurrence. The disease has proven to be predominantly fatal. Officials believe that within 10-20 years the entire species could go extinct.
Symptoms of the cancer are aggressive tumors on the face and neck. This restricts their ability to eat. The span or lifespan of the disease is approximately 3 months, from contact to death. Unable to eat and obtain nutrients vital to their survival, the Tasmanian Devils succumb to starvation and essentially wither away in perhaps the most painful way to die in existence. Slow and withering, this species might leave us. It's so incredibly sad.
In order to prevent this, researchers and scientists are studying new forms of contagious cancers. So far, they've determined that inbreeding among populations may be responsible for the rapid spread of this disease.
As a biology student, I've spent a large ammount of time (by choice) studying genetic viability. So far, I've only studied Asiatic and African Lion viability in full, but I've delved into other species. So far, my conclusion, much like many others, is that decreasing genetic viability is going to result in the extinction of so many species.
Photo: Capable of spreading to the mouth and eyes, DFTD is fatal.
Credit: Save the Tasmanian Devil Program
If Tasmanian Devil populations had not already been pushed into fragments and small populations, this disease would not have spread so easily. Inbreeding in these small populations is common. Inbreeding disables the immune system from recognizing the cancer as foreign.
The only hope for the Tasmanian Devil is in the hands of the Tasmanian government and their insurance population of more than 200 devils. These Devils will be placed in quarantine due to the spread of the cancer through more than 50% of the Devils habitat (existing only on the island of Tasmania). There is little hope for remaining wild populations.
I'm so concerned and now, I can't help but wonder when the cancer will make the leap into other marsupial species and what poor species will follow behind the Devil. It's absolutely frightening. When will this mass extinction and species loss stop?
Here's to hope,
Ashley
Sorry, if this is a little bleak, but I'm kind of at my brink.
Read more...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/22/tasmanian-devils-endanger_n_206633.html
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5QF86G?open
To donate and help save the Tasmanian Devil...
http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/index.html
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