Devil facial tumor disease is a transmissible cancer decimating Tasmanian devil populations, requiring innovative conservation approaches.
DFTD causes large invasive facial tumors that grow around the mouth, preventing eating and leading to starvation. Affected individuals deteriorate over months with the tumor mass eventually causing suffocation or organ failure. The suffering is prolonged and welfare interventions through euthanasia of severely affected animals must balance population concerns against individual suffering. Vaccine development represents the most significant potential welfare and conservation intervention.