Australia's Tasmanian devil declared endangered Posted: 22 May 2009 1132 hrs SYDNEY: Australia's Tasmanian devil, the world's largest surviving marsupial carnivore, will be listed as endangered because of a contagious and deadly cancer, the government said. "This disease has led to the decline of about 70 per cent of the Tasmanian devil population since the disease was first reported in 1996," Environment Minister Peter Garrett said in a statement. Devil facial tumour disease, which is spread through biting, kills the animals usually within three months by growing over their faces and mouths, preventing them from eating. Early European settlers named the feisty marsupial the devil for its spine-chilling screeches, dark appearance and reputed bad temper which, along with its steeltrap jaw, made it appear incredibly fierce. The animals were previously listed as vulnerable, and Garrett said the change in status to endangered would give them greater protection under national environment law. "Fortunately, strong action is being taken to find out more about this disease and to stop its spread," he said. The government had committed A$10 million (US$7.5 million) over five years to a programme aimed at saving the devil, including research into the disease and support for captive and wild populations, he said. The species is restricted to the island state of Tasmania after competition from the dingo led to its extinction on mainland Australia. It is Australia's largest marsupial carnivore after the extinction last century of its distant cousin, the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger.
firstly y is it that pic? secondly, i always thought they were already endangered thirdly, this isn't really anything new, its been around for ages.
That pic... its a tassie devil.. from some show; Forgot his name ... I used to watch him when I was young lol. The tassie devil's cancer isn't anything new ~ But what is is that they've been announced as endagered animals. To my knowledge, they weren't listed as endagered prior to today....
omg, when i went to the zoo in aussie i saw a tasmanian devil n i couldnt believe that was it... unfortunately im not at home otherwise i couldve uploaded the pics of the one i saw... but they look like i huge balding rat >_< =/..... c for urself
somehow i thought that pic was cute. or was it just me? Also I keep wondering how the "cancer" can be contageous... need to look more into that.
i wonder if the zoos in England will have some Taz lol i wanna meet one now and if it bites me i'll punch it
Taz is a carnivorous animal it means that it eats meat and just like dogs they can bite you anytime... (i presume) it is not animal cruelty if it is actingi n self defence lol
