Tasmanian devil status officially upgraded to 'endangered'

by Rich Bowden - May 22 2009, 15:47

Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett has told reporters his government has officially upgraded the status of the iconic Tasmanian devil from "vulnerable" to "endangered."

Mr. Garrett said the upgrading would give the species a higher level of protection under natural environmental law.

"My decision to up-list the Tasmanian devil is based on advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee which lists the Devil Facial Tumour Disease as the major threat to the devil," he said in a statement on Friday.

The Tasmanian devil species has suffered from a mystery facial tumour that has swept through the population since its identification some 13 years ago. 

"This disease has led to the decline of about 70 per cent of the Tasmanian devil population since the disease was first reported in 1996," said the minister. "Fortunately, strong action is being taken to find out more about this disease and to stop its spread."

He went on to say that his department had committed over $10 million AUD in funding over five years to a program designed to stop the spread of the tumour and save the species from extinction.

"My department will also continue to play an active role as part of the steering committee which implements the Save the Tasmanian Devil program," he said.

Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease program senior scientist Professor Hamish McCallum welcomed the move and said the announcement would help to raise awareness of the problem in the general community.

"The numbers have declined by at least 60 per cent statewide in the past 10 years and there's a projected further decrease as significant, if not worse," Prof. McCallum was reported as saying by The Australian.

"The announcement doesn't materially change what the program has been doing, but it emphasises the importance of continuing the program and continuing to provide resources to the program," he added.

"The endangered listing also increases awareness in the general public of how serious the problem is and the real threat of extinction."

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