Tasmanian Devil. Ancient secrets

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1 FREE newsletter save the Tasmanian Devil ISSN In this issue: 2 4 New program manager On the Red List Ancient secrets Remains of Tasmanian devils that are thousands of years old could hold clues about how to deal with the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Dr Jeremy Austin, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Adelaide, has received funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) to examine the genetic diversity of ancient devil remains. This work builds on the findings of scientists in the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, who previously determined that DFTD is a contagious cancer. It can spread between individuals because of a lack of genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils. We want to understand when, where and why Tasmanian devils lost genetic diversity, Jeremy said. December 2008 Meanwhile, The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has also received ARC funding to further its research into DFTD. The UTAS School of Chemistry received $560,000 over four years to develop technologies at the heart of the separation science system. One of these projects aims to identify a way that DFTD can be diagnosed in an animal which does not have any visible signs of the disease. The second grant was for $400,000 over three years to ensure the continuation of a PhD student, who is supporting the research into the immune system of Tasmanian devils. Continued next page... 5 Devilish folk Some of the samples we have from Victoria and Western Australia go back thousands of years. They ll be able to give us an indication of how genetically diverse devils were, and whether they ve been through something like this before. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a screening program that identifies devils with a higher genetic diversity. These devils are the animals that will most likely be immune or resistant to the disease.

2 2 Ancient secrets From previous page... Associate Professor Greg Woods, from the University s Menzies Research Institute, said the allocation allows for the next phase of research into testing the resistance of animals to DFTD. This study will determine if wild and naturally existing Tasmanian devils are protected from DFTD, he said. It will also provide critical information about mechanisms of DFTD resistance, natural or artificially induced. Dr Jeremy Austin The Australian Research Council advises the Australian Government on research matters, and manages the National Competitive Grants Program, a significant component of Australia s investment in research and development. Welcome It s both a privilege and a challenge to become manager of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. To date, the infectious Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has been recorded across more than 60 per cent of the State. The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program remains committed in its mission to maintain this iconic animal as an ecologically functional wild species. Research continues to test for DFTDresistant devils, as well as a possible vaccine, but our highest priority is to further expand the Insurance Population. Over the past two summers, we ve sent more than 70 disease-free Tasmanian devils to wildlife parks on the mainland. They re now happily breeding, far away from the disease. This month another 30 Tasmanian devils will be going to mainland zoos that are working with us as part of the Insurance Population aspect of the Program. Our Insurance Strategy, developed with the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA), indicates that we may need to manage around 1,500 devils over a period of up to years if we hope to preserve the genetic diversity of the species. For this reason, the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program will be further exploring and testing the concept of large, freerange enclosures within Tasmania over the next year. These options were highlighted in the report that was completed by the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Our task now is to work through the complexities of managing captive populations. What size do the pens need to be to ensure devils retain their wild behaviour? How many animals should be in each enclosure, and what should they eat? What male-to-female ratio will give the best breeding outcomes? Another area we will be looking into is the virtual island. This is a large fenced-off area, such as a peninsula or headland, where devils are left to do their thing without the impact of the disease. There are still many questions to be answered, including how we build and maintain a fence that could be 10 s of kilometers and what would the impact of such a structure be on other species and the community. It s a daunting task, but one that we know we can achieve. I have been really impressed by the commitment of the people who work on the Program as well as the incredible support in the community for the Tasmanian devil. If will power means anything then I m sure we ll win out in the end. Andrew Sharman with Nature Nic. Recently, I met the Hobart schoolboy Nature Nic Bonnitcha, who presented the Program with $740 from the sale of some of his Black and White Calendars. The Tasmanian devil faces a tough future, but community support is one of its greatest assets. Andrew Sharman Manager, Save the Tasmanian Devil Program

3 3 DFTD still spreading Seven Tasmanian devils caught during a trapping trip near Guildford have tested positive for Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This is the furthest west that DFTD has ever been found. western point that we ve found the Devil Disease, it s extremely important for the ongoing monitoring of the disease spread, and the future management of wild populations. The story so far Last October, a total of 62 devils were trapped by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program s monitoring team over a 10-day period. Guildford (35km north-west of Cradle Mountain) lies15km north-west of where DFTD had been previously confirmed (West Pencil Pine). So we re not surprised to find DFTD in the Guildford area, due to its proximity to West Pencil Pine, said Stewart Huxtable, a Scientific Officer with the program. But since this is the most DFTD is extremely unusual as it is only one of three recorded cancers that spread like a contagious disease. The cancer is passed from devil to devil through biting. Guildford is also the furthest west that the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program has collected tumour samples. This will be of great value in monitoring the evolution of the disease. So far, scientists at the Mt Pleasant Laboratory have identified nine strains of DFTD as it mutates in the wild. Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer that spreads between individuals through biting. Small lumps in and around the mouth develop into large tumours on the face and neck. Once the cancer becomes visible, death invariably follows, usually within months. The foreign cells of the tumour aren t rejected by the individual s immune system because of a lack of genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils. There has been a 64 per cent decline in spotlighting sightings since 1996, when the first signs of the disease were observed in the State s northeast. DFTD has now been confirmed at 64 locations across more than 60 per cent of Tasmania. To date, there is very strong evidence that DFTD has not reached the far west of the state. The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is the official joint strategy of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. It features an insurance population, collaborative laboratorybased investigations of the disease, and disease-suppression programs of wild populations.

4 4 Devil diet Recentlypublished research into the diet of the Tasmanian devil will be important for the management of wild and captive devil populations. The diet of the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, as determined from analysis of scat and stomach contents, by David Pemberton et al, was published in the Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Vol. 142(2), The research based on scats founds at six different sites, as well as the stomach contents of seven devil roadkills - found that mammals, birds, fish, insects and plant material were all part of the Tasmanian devil s diet. But it s mammals that made up more than 60 per cent of the diet, with Common Ringtail Possums, Pademelons and Bennett s Wallaby being the species that contributed most significantly. Devils Endangered on Red List The Tasmanian devil has been listed as Endangered on the 2008 IUCN Red List the benchmark for the global conservation status of plant and animal species. The Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is widely considered the most authoritative and objective system for classifying species in terms of their risk of extinction. The devil s uplisting by the IUCN was featured in papers recently published in two of the world s most highly cited interdisciplinary science journals, Science and Nature. It s important that the international community has a true and accurate representation of what s happening with Tasmanian devils, said Dr Clare Hawkins, the senior zoologist with the Threatened Species Section of the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW). The Red List helps co-ordinate the international approach to all threatened species. And there s a special interest in devils, both because they re such an interesting species in themselves, and because of the unusual nature of their disease. The Tasmanian devil population has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 10 years as a direct result of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). On current information, it s expected to drop a further 70 per cent over the next decade. The Tasmanian devil is listed as Endangered under the Tasmanian Government s Threatened Species Protection Act It is also listed as Vulnerable under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act For more information, go to: Related publications The Status of the World s land and Marine Mammals: Diversity, Threat and Knowledge, by Jan Schipper, et al. Science 322, 225 (2008). DOI: / science Knowledge of mammalian diversity is still surprisingly disparate, both regionally and taxonomically. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status and distribution of the world s mammals, including the Tasmanian devil. The data, compiled by experts, covers all 5487 species, including marine mammals /5899/225 Action Needed to Prevent Extinctions Caused by Disease by Michael Hoffman, Clare E. Hawkins and Peter D. Walsh. Nature (Vol 454) July 10, The Tasmanian devil is the second species in recent years to exhibit a genuine deterioration in status due to the sudden impact of an emerging disease. Last year, the western gorilla was uplisted to Critically Endangered as a result of the Ebola virus. The lesson to be learned from DFTD and Ebola is that management actions, such as those being pursued by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, are absolutely vital if we are to save entire species. full/454159a.html

5 5 Devilish folk The diversity of expertise among members of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program plays an important role in furthering our knowledge. Our quarterly newsletter gives us the opportunity to introduce members of the team. Jen Pelham There s not one part of being interviewed that Jen Pelham enjoys. But behind-the-scenes people like Jen, a Tasmanian Devil Keeper with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, are crucial to the survival of the species. So what does a Devil Keeper do? I pick up devil poo, Jen laughs, and I love it. Of course there s a bit more to it than that Jen joined the program several years ago as a volunteer with the captive insurance population (devils held in quarantine facilities, isolated from DFTD). The volunteering turned into a permanent position. We provide daily food, water and enrichment for the devils Jen said. We also check on their well-being, monitor weights and maintain enclosures. But we re really focused on maintaining the natural behaviour of the population so that the devils can later be re-introduced into the wild, if needed. Jen s background is in fine arts, not science. It means that she completely relates to the concern for devils that s shown by the general public. The thing that surprised me most when I started working here is that devils are quite timid she said. If we lift the lid on a den box, they ll often sit perfectly still because they re scared - they re not as aggressive as they re portrayed in the media. But what people are most curious about is the devil disease. Everyone is genuinely concerned and they want to know how they can help. If you d like to learn more about volunteering with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, phone (03) or DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw. tas.gov.au Please slow down Young devils will be dispersing from their mothers over the summer months, so the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is pleading with local motorists to slow down. Roadkill is definitely the unsung threat to Tasmanian devils, said Chrissy Pukk, a scientific officer with the Program. Down on the Forestier Peninsula, we know that approximately a quarter of recorded deaths are from roadkill. Across at Cradle Mountain, before the road was modified, it had been recorded as high as 50 per cent. And at this time of year it s particularly crucial because the young devils are such an important part of the population. In heavily diseased areas, the one year olds are the only devils left to breed. A recent three-year study estimated that more than 2000 Tasmanian devils are killed on our roads annually. Part of the reason is because roads are a free run for young devils, eager to disperse. The carcasses of other roadkill victims also attract these young carnivores because the roads smell of death. But roadkill deaths are often preventable. Motorists should avoid driving at night, and slow down when they do. By slowing down, you give yourself, and the startled animal, a chance to react. Jen Pelham (far right) with fellow program members (from left) Holly Deveraux, Jocelyn Hockley, Errol the devil and Stewart Huxtable. You should also turn down your high beams in wildlife-heavy areas, or when you see wildlife on the road. By lowering your high beams, you take away the stunned mullet response and allow animals to retreat.

6 6 Black and white Christmas Nature Nic leads a group of children at Hobart s Christmas pagaent. Dancing devils at Mardi Gras The Tassie Devils float from the 30th anniversary Sydney Mardi Gras Parade has raised $6,000 for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Mark Howell, from the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Community Centre, presented the donation to the Program during last month s TasPride festival. More than 100 devil dancers, with flamingred horns and small pitch-forks, marched in Sydney s cheeky annual Mardi Gras an event which draws a crowd of more than half a million (while millions more watch on TV). The Tassie devils theme was perfect for us, said Mark. It s fun and a bit naughty. But ultimately, it s a serious conservation issue that we want to champion. For more information on the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Community Centre visit Close to 100 children, dressed as native animals, helped Nature Nic Bonnitcha raise wildlife awareness at the 2008 Hobart City Christmas Pageant. It s been a busy few months for Nic who, this month, releases his first book, Making a difference it s a simple as Black and White. Meanwhile Nic has been co-coordinating the expansion of Black and White Day 2009 into the United States. Not bad for a 10-year-old Hobart schoolboy! Fun and fundraising Devilishly Delicious, Recipes from Tasmania is a recipe book produced by the Tasmanian members of Soroptimist International to raise money for the Tasmanian devil. It features tempting recipes from cooks across the state. For details, go to supporters.html or phone Margaret on (03) Selective Trading, a Devonport-based souvenir distributor, is donating $1 to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program from each sale of their plush Tasmanian devil toys. Look out for the devil toys that feature the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program logo at local tourist attraction gift shops and select wildlife parks. The Coles Bay community, on the east coast of Tasmania, dedicated a whole weekend in early November to fun and fundraising for the Tasmanian devil. Activities included a concert with local musicians, sea kayaking tours, scenic cruises, local market stalls, and a family fun day at the beach The Christmas pageant, and Black and White Day, are important because they raise awareness among kids, Nic said. And kids want to stand up for devils because we want to be able to see them when we get older. I think Black and White Day will continue for years even once we ve saved this species. In the future, kids can hold Black and White Days to remember how close we came to losing our special Tassie devils. Tasmanian of the year Congratulations to Bruce Englefield, from East Coast Natureworld, who was recently named the 2008 Tasmanian of the Year. Bruce was honoured for the passion he s shown toward the Tasmanian devil, reflected in the establishment of the Devil Island Project a wild population of 14 disease-free devils set on 11ha of enclosed land. Bruce received his award from the Governor of Tasmanian, His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AO, at a reception at Government House. SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL newsletter Written by Janette Kirkman Designed by Emil Kolbe