Plea for reports on devil roadkill

AUTHORITIES need motorists to report dead Tasmanian devils so roadkill and cancer trends can be analysed — particularly in the Forestier Peninsula, Huon and Channel areas and the North-West.

Roadkill is the biggest threat to the Tasmanian devil after the devil facial tumour disease and young devils are on the move at this time of year looking for their patch of paradise.

The state’s roads are also becoming busier in the lead up to the holiday season.

To help the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program determine the effect of devil roadkill on populations across the state, monitor the spread of the disease and develop mitigation strategies, devil road deaths should be reported to the Devil Hotline (0497 338 457).

The Huon and Channel areas — with their windy roads and strong devil populations, are one of the worst for roadkill, with more than 90 roadkilled devils reported to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program since the beginning of last year.

The Channel area also is the only known range of a second type of the facial tumour disease which has only recently been detected.

“Because of this, we are asking people who see dead or injured devils in the Channel area to call the Devil Hotline immediately, so we can collect and check the animal for signs of disease,” the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program said.

The program is also asking for motorists to keep their eyes open on the Forestier Peninsula which became a designated Devil Recovery Area in 2015 following the release of disease-free devils.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is particularly interested in reports of devil roadkill from the Forestier and Tasman peninsulas and is asking people who see dead or injured devils to call the Devil Hotline, so the devils can be collected and checked.

“The far North-West is the last part of Tasmania where devil populations are unaffected by DFTD, the program said.

“In this area, roadkill may be the biggest current threat to devils. By reporting devil roadkill and keeping an eye out for signs of DFTD, drivers in the North-West can help the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program to monitor the spread of the disease.”

For more information, go to tassiedevil.com.au/ roadkill