Society
Questions over Tassie devil money
A TASMANIAN devil breeding facility proposed to be built in 2009 has not eventuated, leaving questions about money raised for the project.
The Devils in Danger Foundation, established in 2005, aimed to raise awareness of the devil facial tumour disease and boost the endangered population through its breeding program.
In February 2009 The Examiner reported that more than $2.5 million in cash and in-kind support had been pledged to the charity to build the Launceston facility.
Foundation secretary Leanne Green said the pledges were never realised because the facility was never built.
The foundation’s website is still operational and calls for donations to go directly to “the devils’ welfare and the breeding program and research being carried out to help save the
species”.
However, the foundation has bred only eight devils in six years and they were all given away in June when the Something Wild wildlife sanctuary at Glenorchy closed.
It is understood sponsors, including Tas Plates and Meadowbank Estate Winery, are still donating to the foundation.