« Comparing Rates of Warming: Anthony Watts and Basil Copeland | Main | Willis Tries to Dismiss His Own Ocean Non-Warming Research »

April 01, 2008

Can Cedric Save his fellow Tasmanian Devils?

Posted by Paul, at 10:26 PM

Australian experts say a Tasmanian Devil called Cedric could hold the key to the survival of the embattled species.

The world's largest marsupial carnivore is facing extinction from a mystery facial cancer.

But scientists say Cedric appears to be naturally resistant to the contagious tumours which have killed half the devil population in Tasmania.

BBC website: 'Hope over Tasmanian Devil cancer'

SEE ALSO:

International bid to save Devils
22 Oct 07 | Asia-Pacific

Experts tackle the devil's tumour
20 Feb 07 | Asia-Pacific

Bites spread fatal 'devil' cancer
02 Feb 06 | Science/Nature

Posted by Paul at April 1, 2008 10:26 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.nationalforum.com.au/blogs/mt-tb.cgi/2472

Comments

I hope so.

Posted by: Jan Pompe at April 2, 2008 12:00 AM

Me too!

Posted by: Paul Biggs at April 2, 2008 02:57 AM

I believe the Norther Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilentus) is Australia's largest carnivorous marsupial.

Posted by: Neil Hewett at April 2, 2008 07:48 AM

Cedric appears bound for a future at stud, characterised by unrestrained lust and fornication. It is an ill wind, indeed, that blows no good. Go for it, Cedric old boy.

Posted by: Ian Mott at April 2, 2008 10:18 AM

Neil, Sorry to deflate your northern outlook but the tiger quolls both the northern variety and the Tasmanian ones are lucky to exceed 7kg according the Federal Department of the Environment. Where as the male Tasmanian Devil is a robust 12 kg.
Whilst Cedric has received a lot of publicity of equal importance in my mind is that the population of devils in the Western third of the state also appears unaffected by the disease, this should give clues to the cause and method of infection as well as keeping healthy populations in the wild. A map can be viewed at http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5QF86G?open
The other issue not receiving much publicity is the recent finding that chemicals are unlikely to be a cause, it had been speculated that forestry chemicals and pesticides were the culprit by many vocal green groups, but the latest scientific survey totally dismisses this speculation.

Posted by: cinders at April 2, 2008 01:11 PM

Cinders: Can we dismiss 1080?

Posted by: gavin at April 2, 2008 01:26 PM

Gavin,

yes the latest reports rule out 1080. The Ross report available at http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/research.html#toxicology concludes: "The proposal that sodium fluoride in 1080 may cause tumourogenesis is improbable"
Whilst 1080 has recently been used with a meat bait against foxes, its use in Tasmania goes back to the 1950's against rabbits and against browsing damage by native animals (possums & wallabies)of pasture crops and forest plantations. The bait is delivered in Carrot form, not attractive to the Devil, and apparently quickly breaking down in the carcas, so that a devil is unlikely to be effected eating the carcas.
You will also see from the map referred to in the last post, the NW of the state that has a high concentration of plantations and thus 1080 use is DFTD free.

Posted by: cinders at April 2, 2008 02:07 PM