The Program Focus 

Due to the rapid decline in population numbers, the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’ program aims to urgently address the various issues associated with DFTD. The program focuses on:

• Population monitoring to clarify disease distribution and impacts, and to determine conservation strategies
• Laboratory-based diagnostics to investigate the disease, its transmission and possible causes
• Wild population management to reduce the impact of the disease in the wild. This includes continuing attempts in southern Tasmania to create a disease-free region

Captive breeding programs with 'founders' taken from areas of the state where there is no record of the disease, to provide insurance populations

The Program Plan

The overall objective to ‘maintain an enduring and ecologically functional population of Tasmanian Devils in the wild in Tasmania’. (‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’ strategic plan)

The specific objectives are:

• Maintain the genetic diversity of the Tasmanian Devil population
• Maintain the Tasmanian Devil population in the wild
• Manage the ecological impacts of a reduced Tasmanian Devil population over its natural range

Zoos Victoria's Role

Healesville Sanctuary is one of four mainland zoos taking Tasmanian Devils as part of a captive insurance population. This population could be an essential source of animals for wild reintroduction should the catastrophic decline of the species continue. The program aims to breed and manage a sustainable captive population of about 100 devils for at least 10 years. During this time, authorities are working to eradicate the DFTD from Tasmania.

Zoos Victoria’s key roles in the recovery of this species are to:

1. Supplement in situ populations through captive breeding for reintroduction.
2. Maintain an insurance population in captivity In the event that the wild population continues to decline.
3. Help with population monitoring programs.
4. Undertake research into Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
5. Increase community awareness of the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and community support for its conservation.