Saving The Devil

Tasmanian Devil or Sarcophilus harisii is a common marsupial found only in Tasmania. The world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, the devil has a thick-set, squat build, with a relatively large, broad head and short, thick tail. The fur is mostly or wholly black, but white markings often occur on the rump and chest. Adult males are usually larger than adult females. Large males weigh up to 12 kg, and stand about 30 cm high at the shoulder.

It is nocturnal and was named by early European settlers because of its eerie growl, which starts as a kind of whistle and ends in a bark. Devils have a body length of approximately 2 feet (60cm), and are known for their ferocity and foul tempers. Although only the size of a small dog, it can sound and look incredibly fierce. Longevity is up to 7-8 years.

The devil is mainly a scavenger and feeds on whatever is available. Powerful jaws and teeth enable it to completely devour its prey - bones, fur and all. Wallabies, and various small mammals and birds, are eaten - either as carrion or prey. Reptiles, amphibians, insects and even sea squirts have been found in the stomachs of wild devils. Carcasses of sheep and cattle provide food in farming areas. Devils maintain bush and farm hygiene by cleaning up carcasses. This can help reduce the risk of blowfly strike to sheep by removing food for maggots.

Tasmanian Devils have some of the strongest jaws out of any animal, and usually eat the entirety of their prey. A family of Devils was caught on camera eating a horse, they left only the skull and tail. When feeding on road kill, Devils generally eat everything including bones, fur and feet. It is believed they may be acting as a buffer to the establishment of foxes in Tasmania.

They were originally considered pests by farmers but are now appreciated for their ability in keeping down the numbers of crop-eaters such as mice. They are rarely seen because of their nocturnal nature.

The famous gape or yawn of the devil that looks so threatening can be misleading. This display is performed more from fear and uncertainty than from aggression. Devils produce a strong odor when under stress, but when calm and relaxed they are not smelly. The devil makes a variety of fierce noises, from harsh coughs and snarls to high pitched screeches. A sharp sneeze is used as a challenge to other devils, and frequently comes before a fight.

For over a century they were trapped and poisoned and became very rare. They seemed, like the Tasmanian tiger, to be headed for extinction. As a result of this the Tasmanian Devil was protected by law in June 1941.

Predators are large birds of prey such as eagles. Very small devils run risks at night from large owls like the masked owl and large Australian Quolls like the spotted tail Quoll. Almost certainly large devils will eat small devils if they are hungry enough. One reason that young devils can climb so well is possibly so they can escape large devils.

Today these predators would seem harmless in comparison with the mystery disease called Devil Facial Tumour Disease that is sweeping across Tasmania. Like many infectious diseases it appears to be density-dependent. It kills nearly more than 90% of adults in high density areas and 40-50% in medium-low density areas. Thus, its overall impact is somewhat chequered across the landscape but certainly a majority of devils will be affected across the state.

The disease, which doesn't seem to be affecting other species, is a cancer most likely caused by a virus. It is thought that it may be a retro-virus similar to retro-viruses found in other animals such as koalas, cats and poultry. Adult males are the first affected, then adult females. Once symptoms are obvious, tumours spread throughout the body and the infected devil dies within months.

This disease was first noticed in the mid-1990s but has become more prevalent and has now been recorded through the east, northeast, southeast, midlands and on the edges of the highlands of Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government announced a funding package of more than $1.8 million to curb the disease, the fight to the finish has clearly begun.