Save the Tasmanian devil
The Tasmanian devil is probably the most iconic inhabitant of Tasmania and has quite rightly become the national animal. For centuries, however, it has also been the object of hostility and persecution. Today, after finally being strictly protected, its survival is threatened by contagious cancer.
Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
CONTAGIOUS CANCER
In 1996, an infectious cancer began to spread across Tasmania and decimate the devils. It was named DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease). Cancer cells are transferred from diseased to healthy devils through biting. Most animals die within six months. In some places the Tasmanian devil population has dropped by 95 % in just 20 years!
Conservation PROGRAMme
So far there is no cure for devil facial tumour disease and it is fatal to the devils. The threat of extinction is so serious that the struggle to rescue the devils even takes place at the government level. In 2003, the Australian and Tasmanian governments initiated the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, which aims to preserve a permanent and ecologically functional population of devils in the wild.
Safe HAVEN
In order to avoid the worst, it was decided to translocate healthy devils to a place where they would not be at risk of being infected with the cancer. The uninhabited Maria Island near the east coast of Tasmania, known for its “painted” sandstone cliffs, was chosen. The whole island is protected as a national park and devils have never lived here, so the disease is not present. The original 34 individuals, released between 2012 and 2017, have grown to more than 100 by 2018!
PRAGUE ZOO HELPS
The devils live freely on Maria Island, so they keep all their natural behaviours and instincts. However, their further fate must be carefully monitored. Prague Zoo has joined the project on Maria Island and contributes financially to the transports of the devils as well as to their monitoring. For example, we take part in maintaining and running off-road vehicles and photo-traps, thanks to which the project staff have an overview of the island’s devils.
HELP US HELP THEM
- Help us protect the devils – support the Maria Island project! All you have to do is choose how…
- By transferring any amount you choose to the “We Help Them to Survive” collection account (IBAN: CZ24 0100 0000 4368 0466 0247, SWIFT code: KOMBCZPPXXX).
- By paying a chosen amount using an electronic pay¬ment touch screen.
For more information, see www.zoopraha.cz/en/help-us.
The largest living carnivorous marsupial in the world and a creature with many myths and superstitions; a loner indulging in mass feasts; a shy animal having an undeserved fiery reputation and capable of making eerie growls. This is the Tasmanian devil.
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Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
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Phone.: (+420) 296 112 230 (public relations department)
e-mail: zoopraha@zoopraha.cz
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