The endangered Tasmanian Devil, found in Southern Australia, is faced by a facial tumor disease which could threaten its very existence within 10 – 20 years if no cure is found. The cancer is suspected to be spreading through ferocious mating practices. The University of Tasmania estimated that there are at least 20,000 Tasmanian Devils left. It’s possible that this disease has contributed to the 20 – 50% decline in the Tasmanian Devil population since the disease was first discovered in the 1990s.
The Tasmanian Devil has been a protected species since 1941.
Sources: Environmental News Network, Battle To Save Tasmanian Devil from Extinction, March 15 and Tasmanian Devil, Wikipedia.org
Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
