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Mutant cancer threatening devils Experts tackle the devil's tumour
(10 minutes later)
Scientists are meeting in Australia's island state of Tasmania to find ways of tackling a disease that threatens one of its most unusual animals.Scientists are meeting in Australia's island state of Tasmania to find ways of tackling a disease that threatens one of its most unusual animals.
Over the past decade, tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils have been killed by Devil Facial Tumour Disease.Over the past decade, tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils have been killed by Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
The mutant cancer causes facial tumours, which grow so large the animals are prevented from eating. The cancer causes facial tumours, which can grow so large the animals are prevented from eating.
Scientists fear the animals - which are a symbol for Tasmania - could become extinct if action is not taken. Scientists fear the devils - which are a symbol for Tasmania - could become extinct if action is not taken.
Tasmania's other famous animal, the Tasmanian tiger, died out in the 1930s. Tasmania's other famous animal, the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger, died out in the 1930s.
Dramatic declineDramatic decline
Hamish McCallum, professor of wildlife research at the University of Tasmania's School of Zoology, said the disease is having a devastating effect on the devils.Hamish McCallum, professor of wildlife research at the University of Tasmania's School of Zoology, said the disease is having a devastating effect on the devils.
"In all the populations that have been infected, they've declined dramatically - often by up to 90% - and they continue to decline," he told the BBC's World Today."In all the populations that have been infected, they've declined dramatically - often by up to 90% - and they continue to decline," he told the BBC's World Today.
"I think there is a substantial risk that unless we do something, the populations may be extinct over a time frame of 10 to 15 years - or may be even shorter than that.""I think there is a substantial risk that unless we do something, the populations may be extinct over a time frame of 10 to 15 years - or may be even shorter than that."
But he said the Tasmanian people were "quite determined" not to let their largest surviving marsupial carnivore die out.But he said the Tasmanian people were "quite determined" not to let their largest surviving marsupial carnivore die out.
The disease has struck 57 separate locations in Tasmania since December 1996.The disease has struck 57 separate locations in Tasmania since December 1996.
Environmental authorities have recently taken four colonies of healthy animals off the island and placed them in zoos on the mainland.Environmental authorities have recently taken four colonies of healthy animals off the island and placed them in zoos on the mainland.
The cause of the disease is not known, but scientists believe it is spread through contact with other animals, mostly by biting.The cause of the disease is not known, but scientists believe it is spread through contact with other animals, mostly by biting.
Grotesque sightGrotesque sight
Tasmanian devils have powerful jaws that are able to crunch through the bones of much larger animals. They are known to bite each other's faces during fights and courtship behaviour.Tasmanian devils have powerful jaws that are able to crunch through the bones of much larger animals. They are known to bite each other's faces during fights and courtship behaviour.
A severely diseased devil is a grotesque sight, with large tumours protruding from the face and neck, sometimes pushing out teeth and invading eye sockets.A severely diseased devil is a grotesque sight, with large tumours protruding from the face and neck, sometimes pushing out teeth and invading eye sockets.
The lesions are grotesque and deadly to the devilsThe lesions are grotesque and deadly to the devils
As the tumours interfere with feeding, the animals become emaciated and usually die within six months of showing lesions.As the tumours interfere with feeding, the animals become emaciated and usually die within six months of showing lesions.
The only other such cancer has occurred in dogs but, unlike the devils' disease, it could be overcome by the canine immune system.The only other such cancer has occurred in dogs but, unlike the devils' disease, it could be overcome by the canine immune system.
The authors of a report from last year suggested that close kinship and low genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils reduces their immune response to transplanted cancer cells, making it more likely that they will take hold.The authors of a report from last year suggested that close kinship and low genetic diversity among Tasmanian devils reduces their immune response to transplanted cancer cells, making it more likely that they will take hold.
There is no evidence that the disease has spread to other animals.There is no evidence that the disease has spread to other animals.