Environmental officers search for Tasmanian devil affected by facial tumour disease, highlighting ongoing threat to species

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Environmental officers are working to locate a Tasmanian devil showing the effects of facial tumour disease. Wildlife advocates say the devastating images serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat facing the iconic creature.

Transcript

00:00Hairless and shuddering, with a tumour protruding from its face.

00:07This is a sick Tasmanian devil, the nocturnal creature spotted in broad daylight at Table

00:13Cape in the state's northwest.

00:15Business owner Wendy Page saw it wandering her driveway.

00:18It just didn't look like anything I'd ever seen.

00:21And then when I got closer I realised it was a devil and I really was profoundly horrified

00:29and devastated.

00:30She followed it into the bush and alerted authorities, who were working to locate and

00:35trap the devil.

00:36He was so pathetic and he was absolutely gasping for air.

00:40I wanted to cry actually.

00:42I just felt so, so sorry for him.

00:45I thought this creature is just suffering.

00:48Experts say it's likely due to the devil facial tumour disease.

00:52I've only seen in 22 years four or five devils with the appearance of being furless essentially.

00:59Devil facial tumour disease is a highly infectious and deadly cancer that has spread rapidly

01:04since it was first reported in 1996.

01:08It's decimated approximately 80% of populations.

01:12This one appears to be active, but euthanasia is on the cards.

01:17They can go for days without food, they can survive emaciated, battered and bruised and

01:22just keep suffering.

01:23So often it is the kindest thing and obviously prevents further spread of the disease.

01:28Perhaps not in vain, footage like this is a powerful reminder of the cruel effects of

01:33the devil facial tumour disease.

01:36There are many, many animals suffering and we have to keep supporting efforts to save

01:39this animal.

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