Facial cancer threatens Tasmanian devils

Normally, cancer cells just spread within the body. But the type of cancer attacking the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is actually contagious — but only within the species itself. Humans and other species are immune. The cancer, known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), was discovered around 20 years ago in northeast Tasmania.

Tasmanian devils who are affected by DFTD are left horribly disfigured. Many die in agony — usually from starvation as they can no longer eat due to the ulcers in their mouth and throat. When the disease was discovered, there were around 200,000 Tasmanian devils in Tasmania. This population has since fallen by 90%.

Tasmanian devils have lived in Tasmania for over 600 years. Contrary to their name, they are actually quite peaceful and social. They get their bad reputation from their extremely loud and somewhat disturbing screech. At the beginning of the 19th century the British colonialists feared Tasmanian devils and set out traps and poison.

Tasmanian devils are mostly nocturnal and solitary and avoid confrontation when possible. When they do eat, however, they do so in packs like vultures — fulfilling an ecological function in Tasmania. The devils can be found both on the coast and in wooded areas. Like many other species, the Tasmanian devils' habitat is under threat, pushing them into urban areas where they can be hit by cars.

Androo Kelly takes care of Tasmanian devils in Trowunna Park. He believes DFTD developed as a result of changing environmental conditions. A prolonged drought meant there were fewer animals for the devils to prey on, leading to stress which in turn weakened their immune systems. Artificially-infected devils who were not in distress did not become ill or develop tumor cells.

Wildlife parks such as Trowunna and Devils@Cradle are dedicated to rearing healthy Tasmanian devils and successfully releasing them into the wild as part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. There are also breeding programs in zoos on mainland Australia. Today, about 800 Tasmanian devils live in captivity to help sustain the healthy population.

Scientists are currently working on a vaccine. Or maybe the animals will be able to save themselves. As early as 2016, researchers found genetic traits among several populations that give them resistance to the contagious tumor. This genetic research could also help fight cancer in humans one day, according to a recent 2020 study.