Australia’s Tasmanian Devil Could Be Extinct Within a Decade

Alex Felsinger — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:30:19 +0000

The small marsupials chronically suffer from the fatal Facial Tumor Disease, and without a vaccine for the cancer, scientists fear the species could be wiped out in less than 10 years.

The last hope for the species lies in the 500 breeding adult devils currently living in 18 different wildlife parks and zoos. The Taronga Zoo and Conservation Society released a plea to the public today for funding to research the disease. They hope to raise at least $250,000 to expedite the development of the vaccine.

Green Options » marsupials

Australia’s Tasmanian Devil Could Be Extinct Within a Decade

The small marsupials chronically suffer from the fatal Facial Tumor Disease, and without a vaccine for the cancer, scientists fear the species could be wiped out in less than 10 years.