The fight to save the Tasmanian Devil and re-establish healthy populations in the wild takes an important step forward today with the announcement of field trials of a potentially game-changing vaccine against the Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
As part of the Wild Devil Recovery Project, 19 devils have received the immunisation and will be released into Narawntapu National Park in Northern Tasmania in September this year.
This field trial is an opportunity to effectively test the immunisation response against DFTD and to help refine and develop more effective vaccination techniques.
The trial is an important step in ensuring the Tasmanian devil’s long term survival in the wild.
The Wild Devil Recovery Project is a joint initiative between the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STDP) and is supported through funding from the Tasmanian Government.
The Tasmanian Devil, as a species, is now more secure than it has been at any time during the past decade due to the outstanding success of the Insurance Population Program.
However the Devil continues to face serious ongoing challenges to its survival in the wild. That is why the Tasmanian Government is redoubling its efforts in facilitating further research into the devil facial tumour disease as well toward the development of effective vaccines.
The release of the immunised devils is an important new phase in our ongoing efforts to save our iconic species, the Tasmanian Devil, in the wild. We owe it to this precious and iconic species to secure a strong, disease free future in its natural setting, where it belongs – in the wild.
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage
