The Tasmanian devil, a feisty marsupial that lives only in the Australian island state of Tasmania, was deemed an endangered species this week by the state's government.

The government had previously classified the creature as vulnerable. But its more critical status comes in response to a fatal epidemic of devil facial tumor disease, which has wiped out large numbers of the animal.

Devil numbers are difficult to estimate, but state government figures suggest the animals may have plummeted from around 150,000 in the mid-1990s to between 20,000 and 50,000 by the end of 2006.

"The change in the devil's status reflects the real possibility that this iconic species could face extinction in the wild within 20 years," Tasmania's Primary Industries Minister David Llewellyn said in a statement.
http://news.nationalgeogr...evils.html

thats my rugrat under the blue hat

i wouldnt advise trying to pat this one

[Edited 5/24/08 5:41am]

I saw an awful pic on here http://www.wildlifehealth...ports.aspx

I hope that disease can be stopped.

That's terrible!

luv4u said:

i didnt want to post any pics of actual tumours- they can be quite graphic

Prb have u seen the little boy that has been in the newpaper raising money to help the Devils...his last name is Bonnicita...he's my oldest sons cousing on his dads side

chillichocaholic said:

nature nic

he is doing a great job raising money and awareness 4 the devils

prb said:

Definantly and my son is really proud to be related

chillichocaholic said: