Tasmanian devil conservation breeding programmes have become a critical insurance population against devil facial tumour disease decimating wild populations.
Tasmanian devils in conservation breeding face the welfare challenge of maintaining the species' characteristic aggressive behaviour and feeding competition patterns within zoo social management. Their welfare depends on appropriate social management that allows natural behaviour while preventing serious injury. The conservation importance of the programme creates a welfare obligation to provide high-quality conditions for animals that may contribute irreplaceably to species survival.