About This Species

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the world’s largest surviving marsupial carnivore, now found exclusively in Tasmania. Once present on the Australian mainland, they now face significant threats to their survival. Tasmanian devils typically weigh between 8–14 kg (males) or 5–9 kg (females), with body lengths ranging from 57 cm (females) to around 65 cm (males). They have a short lifespan, typically 5-6 years in the wild and up to 8 years in captivity.

Threats They Face

Tasmanian devils face a critical threat to their survival:

  • Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD): This infectious cancer is the primary threat, transmitted through biting, fighting, and mating. Since its first detection in 1996, DFTD has decimated the wild population by approximately 90% and continues to spread rapidly.
  • Historical Persecution: In the 1800s, farmers actively tried to eradicate devils due to perceived threats to livestock. While now protected, this historical persecution contributed to population declines.

DFTD poses a severe threat to the species’ long-term survival and has significantly impacted Tasmania’s ecosystem.

How Aussie Ark Is Helping

Aussie Ark, building upon the success of Devil Ark, operates as Australia’s largest mainland breeding facility for DFTD-free Tasmanian devils. Their efforts are crucial for the species’ survival:

  • Creating an Insurance Population: Aussie Ark focuses on establishing and maintaining a robust, DFTD-free insurance population on the mainland. This provides a safeguard against further declines in the wild due to DFTD.
  • Cost-Effective Conservation: Aussie Ark’s approach is highly cost-effective, raising devils at a significantly lower cost than some other organizations, allowing for greater conservation impact with available resources.
  • Hands-Off Approach: Aussie Ark prioritizes a hands-off approach, allowing devils to maintain natural wild behaviors, which increases their chances of survival upon potential reintroduction to Tasmania.

Aussie Ark’s work is essential for securing the long-term future of Tasmanian devils.

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