Tonight marks another milestone in our mission to rescue the Tasmanian Devil with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program releasing 39 healthy Tasmanian Devils on the Forestier Peninsula in Tasmania’s south east.

This release is the first step in re-establishing a disease-free, wild population of Devils on the Forestier and Tasman peninsulas.

It represents the culmination of years of hard work to protect and recover the species and is a crucial part of ongoing efforts to explore ways to rebuild populations affected by Devil Facial Tumour Disease and establish wild devil recovery zones across Tasmania.

We are at a critical juncture in the fight to save the Tasmanian Devil and the success of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program has provided a window of opportunity to refocus and redouble our efforts toward supporting healthy populations in the wild and securing the future of the Tasmanian Devil.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program has worked very hard to maximise the success of the trial release at Narawntapu National Park in September, and a great deal has been learnt that will inform how this and future releases are managed.

It was a matter of great regret that a number of the Devils released at Narawntapu were lost to roadkill and this has been a strong reminder that roadkill is also an ongoing threat to the endangered Tasmanian Devil.

However, despite the loss of four Devils on our roads, the Narawntapu trial remains on track and the Wild Devil Recovery Project remains confident that the release into the wild and trial of the vaccine will be a success.

The devastating DFTD was detected in devils living on the Forestier Peninsula in 2004 and – after an unsuccessful attempt to remove the infected animals – the area was entirely depopulated to ensure it was disease-free.

The devils released onto the Forestier Peninsula tonight will include some of the descendants of those animals removed in the depopulation.

The devils chosen for this release have been carefully selected for wild traits and good genetics to assist in boosting the existing population of approximately 20 healthy devils already living on the nearby Tasman Peninsula.

A devil-proof fence has been built at Dunalley and this, together with the ‘natural’ barrier of the Dennison Canal, will ensure that the facial tumour disease will not be able to find its way back on to the Peninsula.

These wild, free roaming individuals will join with those Devils in a similar disease free stronghold on Maria Island, to form a significant component of the insurance population for the species.

The Forestier Peninsula translocation is possible due to the ongoing commitment by the Tasmanian Government, the continued support of the Australian Government, and the strong partnership with the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), the University of Tasmania, San Diego Zoo Global, zoos, wildlife parks and other facilities across Tasmania, Australia and overseas.

Roadkill remains a significant threat to the Tasmanian Devil. There is the possibility that this will be a confronting element of the re-establishment of a wild population of Devils on the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas.

Extensive road signage is already in place educating motorists to the dangers for our wildlife in the area, but I urge motorists to slow down and take special care when travelling on the peninsulas at night.
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage