Showing posts with label tasmanian devil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tasmanian devil. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Tasmanian Devil Decline



Facial cancer is killing the Tasmanian Devil population. Why? Well it seems that there is a lack of genetic diversity in these creatures so the animal's immune system does not try to fight off the disease. In Tasmania 90% of the population has died of the disease. They think that the disease is spread by biting during fights for food or mates. Scientists are trying to save the animals by relocating breeding pairs to sanctuaries on islands.