Experts tackle the devil's tumour (BBC) {Tasmanian Devils dying off}

[eppur_se_muova]

Scientists are meeting in Australia's island state of Tasmania to find ways of tackling a disease threatening one of its most unusual animals.

Over the past decade, tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils have been killed by Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

The diseased animals develop facial tumours, which can grow so large that they prevent feeding.

Scientists fear the devils - which are a symbol for Tasmania - could become extinct if action is not taken.

Tasmania's other famous animal, the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger, died out in the 1930s.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6378279.stm

[phantom power]

1. Those facial tumors are one of two known contagious tumors.

They spread by contact between the animals. The other contagious tumor spreads between dogs, and is generally not fatal.

PS: Bogus use of passive voice by the author at the end. Thylacines "died out" because we drove them to extinction.

[Richard D]

2. This is really worth waiting for

Any creature that sounds like this should not be wiped out: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/mammals/tasde.aiff