Lucky devils put on a brave face

[depakid]

Free of deadly facial tumours ... Tasmanian devil joeys in the safety of their mother's pouch at the Australian Reptile Park near Gosford yesterday.
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THESE little devils are the lucky ones, free from deadly facial tumours that have wiped out 70 per cent of the Tasmanian devil population in the wild. The mother and her joeys are among more than 30 successfully bred at the Australian Reptile Park.

Without the help of researchers, the species is facing extinction. But now rock musicians have decided to come to their aid with "Devil Rock". The concerts will raise money to fund conservation and research. The University of Sydney geneticist Kathy Belov said the tumours threatening the devils were a contagious cancer that spreads from animal to animal by biting and scratching.

Her research had shown that Tasmanian devils were unable to mount an immune response to the invasive tumour cells because of inbreeding. The aim of the project was to increase the genetic diversity of the devils in captivity so they could be returned to the wild. We're predicting the devil will be extinct in the wild within 25 years," Dr Belov said. "That's why captive breeding is important."

The fund-raising events will be launched today at the University of Sydney by the Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, and Jon English, who will perform at a series of concerts in coming months leading up to two large concerts featuring other musicians. The first big concert will be at the University of Sydney on March 6, followed by another at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford. A competition for young bands will also be held, with the winners playing at the March concert.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/lucky-devils-put-on-a-brave-face-20090701-d59l.html

[stuntcat]

1. oh I hope!

I mean I hope there's hope for them! I LOVE devils.