The Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease has affected the ecological balance existing between native and feral species in Tasmania
The Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease has affected the ecological balance existing between native and feral species in Tasmania.
Due to this disease the number of devils has sharply reduced. David Pemberton a researcher said that there is a 40% drop in the devil population in the Mt William National Park. The ecology of the area has changed and one can see carcasses lying around the area. Wedge-tailed eagles are feeding on the carcasses and this species is also being threatened by the disease. The animals are now vulnerable to being killed or replaced by the nascent fox population.Dr Clare Hawkins who is the lead researcher says that concrete data is available only for one area, the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania's east coast. Dr Hawkins also said that with the available data the scientists are devising new ways to deal with the situation.
