Tag Archives: Tasmania

The Tasmanian Devil in Trouble

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Let’s stretch our ‘Australian Week’ by just one more day…

We’ve all heard of the Tasmanian Devil, but surprisingly few people know what they actually look like (I blame a certain popular cartoon character). Even fewer people know that since 2000, the wild Tasmanian Devil population has been affected by a mysterious cancer which is threatening to wipe them out entirely in the years to come.

We love the work done by the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, a place I had the privilege to visit in 2010.

Tasmanian Devil at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, by Anna Tinker

Does the Tasmanian Devil deserve its fearsome reputation? We think it does! Have a look at these little devils fighting over their lunch…

You can’t not be drawn to Tasmanian Devil! They’re unique and special and we want more than anything to keep them around.

Here are some quick facts on the disease currently spreading through the the wild Tasmanian Devil population (taken from the small print on the sign pictured below), directly from the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park.

- The Tasmanian Devil is now an endangered species

- More than half of all wild devils have perished

- Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a unique contagious cancer

- It affects only Tasmanian Devils and is always fatal

-  The cancer is transferred directly by biting during feeding and mating

- Preventing Direct contact is the best way to stop the disease from spreading

- The disease was first noticed in 2000 and has spread across most of Tasmania

- There is no barrier to stop it reaching the west coast

- Its origin is not known

Beautiful and wild Tasmanian Devil habitat, by Anna Tinker

Unfortunately, this mysterious cancer is just one of the many threats faced by Tasmanian Devils. According to IUCN, more than 2,200 are killed each year on Tasmania’s roads.

The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
population trend: decreasing

Photo of the Day: Tawny Frogmouth

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You aren’t allowed to argue with us on this one (although there’s nothing wrong with starting a debate) –The Tawny Frog mouth is Australia’s most charming bird.

It’s a pleasure to introduce you to ‘Kermit’, the friendly Frogmouth at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Project in Tasmania.

Kermit the Frogmouth, by Anna Tinker

And here’s a very sweet video of Kermit working for his snack:

The Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigides)
is on the IUCN Redlist for Threatened Species as “least concern“

Meet the Enchanting Eastern Quoll

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Eastern Quolls at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Tasmania, by Anna Tinker

Here’s one of those ‘lesser known’ animals. The sort that you may go your whole life without knowing about.

Which is a pity because the enchanting Eastern Quoll is one of Australia’s smallest and most endearing marsupials. They have lovely little toes, pink button noses and are exceptionally dotty. Now here’s the bit we don’t like: over the last 40 years, it’s become extinct on the Australian mainland and is now found only on the island of Tasmania, where I photographed these little guys.

Traditionally, they’ve been threatened by habitat loss and predators such as feral cats- a huge problem in Australia. It’s thought that they survived in Tasmania because of its lack of dingoes and foxes. But since 2000 and despite conservation efforts, the European Red Fox has been present in Tasmania and poses a huge threat to the state’s unique and precious wildlife, especially its Quolls.

What Can I do?

Do a little research and learn about the often devastating impact that non-indigenous species can have on an environment. Have a look at this website: Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. And if you’re lucky enough to visit the unforgettable island of Tasmania, go and drop in on these friendly people and see what fabulous work they’re doing at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park.

Not in love yet? Watch this pair of munching marsupials crunch their lunch!

The Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is extinct in mainland Australia but has a reasonably stable population in Tasmania where it is now listed on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “near threatened“