To celebrate their new business partnership, Tarkine Trails and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary are rolling up the cuffs and getting elbow deep in boffins to help out the endangered Tasmanian devil.
In an innovative, sector-spanning collaboration, the two tourism-based social enterprises have joined with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, the University of Tasmania, the Bookend Trust and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy to deliver groundbreaking research on devil populations in the Tarkine wilderness area – one of the few regions which remain unaffected by the Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
Tasmania’s most iconic species is under enormous threat. The infectious cancer has now accounted for around 80% of the species and up to 95% in some locations.
“At Bonorong we work intimately with these animals and are committed to keeping the species alive in secure captive breeding facilities. However we recognise that the best chance the devil has is to survive in the wild. That is what this project is all about,” said Bonorong director Greg Irons.
“Tarkine Trails operate life-changing guided walks through one of the most pristine wildernesses on Earth,” said TT owner Mark Davis. “The region is a varied and ancient habitat of coastal heath to deep rainforest to alpine scrub. It is also one of the few places in Tasmania that this terrible cancer has not reached yet. We are really excited to be part of this project.”
“The significance of the Tarkine to devils is largely unknown,” said Irons. “That’s why this is so exciting. Because of the remoteness of the region there are significant blanks in the scientific knowledge.”
“Our approach to this project is based upon a belief that evidence speaks much louder than slogans,” said Davis. “Conservation in the 21st Century is underpinned by good scientific practice. The microscope is mightier than the megaphone.
“We are absolutely committed to building this as a credible and useful scientific project so we have asked devil gurus Menna Jones and Nick Mooney to help us.”
Here is what Menna had to say about this project:
“I am incredibly excited by this conservation partnership and what they will achieve in finding out about devil populations in the Tarkine. This large, remote area is presently a blank spot in our understanding of devil and other carnivore conservation. It is difficult to obtain information from such wild areas but Tarkine Trails in partnership with Bonorong will do it.”
Dr Chris Boland, Science Manager of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program said, “I really like the way the project enables the community to engage in valuable scientific research. In fact, I think it is a really unique and valuable approach. The project not only collects scientific data from a remote part of the state, it also serves to educate the community about devils, and gives the community a sense of ownership over the plight of these amazing little Tasmanian creatures.”
The partners propose a highly innovative project design for a long-running survey of devil, quoll, feral cat and fox populations throughout the Tarkine’s remote coastal and rainforest areas. “Our guides regularly walk through these areas,” said Davis. “They will act as field researchers in areas where it has previously been prohibitively expensive to conduct research.”
“We have been very fortunate that Outdoor Cameras Australia have jumped on board as major sponsors,” said Irons. “Without the extra cameras they have provided the project would have had much less scientific clout.”
The project has developed a partnership with the Bookend Trust in order to reach into schools all over Tasmania. This will take the form of field excursions and internet-based updates and activities, said Davis.
“At the end of the day, conservation without education is just delaying the inevitable.”
The project relies on community support, said Irons. “We have just secured $26 000 from the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program grants process. However we need to raise about $25 000 dollars to secure the longevity of the project. We are asking the community to get behind this project by purchasing their own cameras.”
“The Tasmanian Land Conservancy has agreed to auspice the project funding. This will act as a guarantee to the public that all donations are administered with integrity and can be a tax-free gift.”
The project will be launched at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, 593 Briggs Rd, Brighton, Tasmania on the 5th of October at 11am. We expect to have a high level of interest from national and local media and the participating organisations will have representatives available to answer questions.
• Senator Christine Milne: Tarkine Devil Project a great step but Tarkine National Heritage vital
Friday 7 October 2011
The Tarkine Devil Project jointly launched by Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, today will be an important step in saving the Tasmanian devil from extinction, but National Heritage protection for the Tarkine wilderness is needed to compliment it.
“If we are really determined to stop the Tassie devil from going the way of the Tassie tiger, protecting the habitat of the last wild healthy population of devils is a must,” Senator Milne said
“I heartily congratulate the Tassie Devil Project, and the people from Tarkine Trails and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary who have made it a reality.
“This project to monitor the region and track the spread of the terrible Devil Facial Tumour Disease, will help us understand the disease better and prevent its further spread.
“It will also help the community better understand what is happening to this icon of Tasmania.
“But, fundamentally, we have to protect this habitat properly, and National Heritage listing of the Tarkine is the best way to do so.
“It is hypocritical for the Tasmanian Government to argue that the devil must be saved whilst actively trying to prevent listing so as to facilitate open cut mining.
“The Tasmanian Government and North West Mayors need to be held to account. They cannot have it both ways. A failure to protect the Tarkine from mining will drive the devil closer to extinction.”
