The Australian Reptile Park is working with a range of zoos and government agencies in the fight to save the Tasmanian devil from extinction.  ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil Program’ is a joint project between the Tasmanian government (Department of Primary Industries and Water) and the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) to establish an insurance population of this iconic species on the mainland, while research continues in Tasmania aimed at addressing the problem on the ground. Declared endangered in May ’08  due to the ravaging effects of a viral named Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD),  which unfortunately is mutating at an alarming rate with over 9 different strains already recorded.  To date more than 60% of Tasmania’s devils have disappeared from the island.

The Australian Reptile Park at present holds the largest population of devils on the mainland, having successfully bred 20 joeys in the past two years.  The park self-funds this program relying entirely on funding the program through gate entry fees from visitors to the park.  The program at the park costs approximately $150,000 per year  to run (that equates to $3,000 per devil), the park is now launching a sponsorship program, along with a donation program with Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME).

Help save the Tasmanian devil 

Along with the insurance population the Australian Reptile Park and ARAZPA has established a partnership to develop a large scale breeding facility for Tasmanian Devils in NSW that will contribute significantly to the establishment of the necessary mainland insurance population. The facility, called ‘DEVIL ARK’ will eventually contain 500 devils, while the disease ravages its way through the wild population. DEVIL ARK was identified at a four-day PHVA workshop conducted by the international conservation body IUCN in Hobart in early July 2008 as one of the most important, if not the most important next step in averting extinction. The Australian Reptile Park has found the ideal location for the facility, and now just requires a major sponsor.

Click here for further information on Tasmanian Devil conservation

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