Tasmanian devils face extinction from devil facial tumour disease. Zoo-based insurance populations are essential for species survival, but their welfare needs as solitary, aggressive carnivores create management challenges.
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer spread through biting. Wild Tasmanian devil populations have declined by 80% since DFTD emerged in the 1990s. The insurance population program (Save the Tasmanian Devil Program) maintains disease-free populations in mainland Australian facilities. Tasmanian devils are solitary and highly aggressive; management must prevent the contact that spreads disease. Feeding enrichment involving whole carcasses engages their natural bone-crushing feeding behaviour. The success of the program in maintaining a viable insurance population is a model for conservation breeding under disease pressure.