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Tasmanian Devil upgraded to the endangered species list
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by amyjudd | May 22, 2009 at 12:52 pm
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Australia's Tasmanian Devil has been upgraded from vulnerable to endangered, now that the population has declined by 70 percent in only 13 years due to a deadly facial tumor that spreads from animal to animal.
The Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the devil's new status on the endangered list will give it greater protection.
"This is a recognition of the many threats that the tassie devil does face."
"This means there will be additional protection under the national environment law," he said.
The cancer is spread by biting, making it one of only two known contagious cancers.
The Tasmanian Devil became extinct in mainland Australia before, and this could happen again unless the population is stabilized. The government has put millions of dollars into conservation efforts.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (9)
at 16:02 on May 22nd, 2009
xrayjets has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:26 on May 22nd, 2009
Not another animal into the endangered list! This is sad!
at 04:06 on May 23rd, 2009
I visited the Wings Farm Park, Tasmania in February 2009
where I took the photos of the Devils. Cute looking critters but with scream that can scare you.
Don Frank
don61136 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:46 on May 24th, 2009
Also went to the Wings Farm Park in Feb.Nothing like the cartoon devil though.Sad to hear becomming endangered.
cbbxj6
cbbxj69675 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:29 on May 24th, 2009
I wonder what could still be done to save them.
at 18:31 on May 24th, 2009
Interesting story - a contagious cancer - spread by biting ! Amazing ! Doesn't that suggest a virus or bacterial agent which precipitates the cancer ?
I wonder if these TD's will go the way of the Thylacine ?
at 07:58 on May 26th, 2009
My family and I visited the late Steve Irwin's 'Australia Zoo' last April. That's where we finally got to see a Tasmanian Devil. Before that we spent a week touring Tasmania but we never got to see a Tasmanian Devil.
at 08:41 on May 26th, 2009
If you live in Tasmania, one thing you can do to help the Devil is to report sightings of foxes, to the Fox-out hotline: 1300-369-688. Foxes are gaining a foothold in Tasmania, and must be eradicated. If they spread, they will help drive Devils to extinction.
at 19:46 on June 22nd, 2009
I wish their was more photos