Tasmanian Devil Welfare and Facial Tumour Disease

Tasmanian devils are threatened by devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a contagious cancer that has killed over 85% of the wild population since 1996.

Key Facts

Devil facial tumour disease has caused 85-95% population decline in many parts of Tasmania
DFTD is one of only three known contagious cancers in the animal kingdom
Affected devils develop large facial tumours that prevent feeding, causing starvation over months
An insurance population on mainland Australia has been established as a conservation backstop
A cancer vaccine is in development — early trials show immune response in vaccinated individuals

Welfare Considerations

Devils with advanced DFTD develop tumours that obstruct vision, eating and breathing — the welfare impact is severe and prolonged. Starvation resulting from inability to eat takes weeks to months. Treatment of individual devils in captivity is possible but resource-intensive. The DFTD vaccine represents the most important welfare intervention because it would prevent disease rather than treating its effects. Maintaining an DFTD-free insurance population protects individuals from this specific welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Donate to Save the Tasmanian Devil programme run by the Tasmanian government
Support insurance population programmes on the Australian mainland
Follow DFTD vaccine trial progress and advocate for government funding to accelerate development
Raise awareness of the Tasmanian devil conservation crisis through education and social media