Australian experts say a Tasmanian Devil called Cedric could hold the key to the survival of the embattled species.
The world’s largest marsupial carnivore is facing extinction from a mystery facial cancer.
But scientists say Cedric appears to be naturally resistant to the contagious tumours which have killed half the devil population in Tasmania.
BBC website: ‘Hope over Tasmanian Devil cancer’
SEE ALSO:
International bid to save Devils
22 Oct 07 | Asia-Pacific
Experts tackle the devil’s tumour
20 Feb 07 | Asia-Pacific
Bites spread fatal ‘devil’ cancer
02 Feb 06 | Science/Nature
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
I hope so.
Me too!
I believe the Norther Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilentus) is Australia’s largest carnivorous marsupial.
Cedric appears bound for a future at stud, characterised by unrestrained lust and fornication. It is an ill wind, indeed, that blows no good. Go for it, Cedric old boy.
Neil, Sorry to deflate your northern outlook but the tiger quolls both the northern variety and the Tasmanian ones are lucky to exceed 7kg according the Federal Department of the Environment. Where as the male Tasmanian Devil is a robust 12 kg.
Whilst Cedric has received a lot of publicity of equal importance in my mind is that the population of devils in the Western third of the state also appears unaffected by the disease, this should give clues to the cause and method of infection as well as keeping healthy populations in the wild. A map can be viewed at http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5QF86G?open
The other issue not receiving much publicity is the recent finding that chemicals are unlikely to be a cause, it had been speculated that forestry chemicals and pesticides were the culprit by many vocal green groups, but the latest scientific survey totally dismisses this speculation.
Cinders: Can we dismiss 1080?
Gavin,
yes the latest reports rule out 1080. The Ross report available at http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/research.html#toxicology concludes: “The proposal that sodium fluoride in 1080 may cause tumourogenesis is improbable”
Whilst 1080 has recently been used with a meat bait against foxes, its use in Tasmania goes back to the 1950’s against rabbits and against browsing damage by native animals (possums & wallabies)of pasture crops and forest plantations. The bait is delivered in Carrot form, not attractive to the Devil, and apparently quickly breaking down in the carcas, so that a devil is unlikely to be effected eating the carcas.
You will also see from the map referred to in the last post, the NW of the state that has a high concentration of plantations and thus 1080 use is DFTD free.