quote:LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Tasmanian devils, animals found only in Tasmania, are dying in droves from a facial cancer that scientists said on Wednesday they are spreading to each other through bites.
The cancer produces large tumors on the face and neck of the animals which interfere with feeding and death usually occurs within six months. Up to 80 percent of infected animals have died.
Plus they live in and around Hobart, Tasmania. That's MY city! Poor little guys, I wish I could help.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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Ahh but Tassie is infamous for extinctions since the Europeans landed here (Australia). Why mess with that?
Posts: 1138 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Wow, I've never heard of an infectious cancer before. That's a scary thought. It sounds like it can only spread because of the low genetic diversity in the population. Also losing the Tasmanian devils would be very sad because I think they are the only surviving predatory marsupials.
Posts: 349 | Registered: May 2003
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I find this sad too, and the only way I can think to prevent it would also prevent mating, unless someone decided to perform AI.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Have they tried importing them beyond Tasmania to see if they survive? If so they could always move some non-infected ones to the mainland, provide for them a while to increase the population, then when the others die off they can move them back.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
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They are trying to screen the population and keep the healthy ones away. But I think they are working with limited resources.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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At least they haven't been infected by that cancer that interferes with their ability to spin in circles really fast.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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