By Ed Merrison
HEALESVILLE Sanctuary staff are working hard to improve the luck of the devil.
A dozen Tasmanian devils arrived at the zoo on Friday, 8 December as staff joined a bid to save a species ravaged by cancer.
The sanctuary is one of four mainland zoos taking part in a scheme to breed a captive population in response to the emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
Experts first observed the disease in the mid-1990s and estimate that up to half of the wild devil population has fallen victim to it in the past 10 years.
The population bred in the zoos in partnership with Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries and Water could prove an essential source of reintroduced animals should the species continue its decline.
Graeme Gillespie, director of wildlife, conservation and science at Zoos Victoria, said the devils were selected from the wild more than 18 months ago to form the basis of a genetically diverse captive population.
The eight adults and four young were then placed under strict quarantine in Tasmania, conditions, which prevail at the sanctuary.
Dr Gillespie said the sanctuary was well equipped to play a part in a program he hoped would yield a sustainable captive population of about 100 devils for at least 10 years across all participating zoos.
“This program demonstrates the important role zoos play for threatened species, especially when they work cooperatively with government agencies,” he said.
“It also highlights how critical partnerships are in the protection of species in urgent need.”
