About DFTD
- The first signs of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) were observed in 1996. It's a new and fatal condition in Tasmanian devils, characterised by cancers around the mouth and head. Download Fact Sheet here.
- Tasmanian devils with the disease usually die within 3-8 months of the lesions first appearing.
- DFTD is one of only three recorded cancers that spread like a contagious disease.
- As at November 2007, DFTD had been confirmed at 60 different locations across 59% of Tasmania's mainland.
- It is believed DFTD is transmitted by allograft, which is fairly rare. Allograft occurs when diseased cells are passed physically from one individual to another. In the case of DFTD, it is thought that the cells are passed between individuals during their frequent scuffles, or mating which often involves biting the necks of their partners.
What’s Being Done
- Scientists are investigating the tumour looking for clues to resistance.
- Developing a diagnostic test and vaccine against the disease.
- Keeping areas of Tasmania free from the disease.
- Maintaining a backup healthy captive population in Tasmania.
- Qantas and Australian Air Express are also flying healthy devils to the mainland.
Why all the fuss?
Tasmanian devils are an important part of Tasmania’s ecosystem.
- Because they are scavengers, they eat sick and dead animals on farms and on roadsides.
- They also probably help to control feral cats and other introduced animals and as a result, help Australia’s other native animals such as birds and small mammals.
- They may also help keep the number of red foxes down - another introduced species. A red fox den is very smelly and a devil can sniff it out quite quickly.
- They are found nowhere else in the world (unique to Australia) and so are important contributors to tourism. Lots of people travel to Tasmania (and consequently Australia) just to see them.
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