Running To Science To Help The Tasmanian Devil
One of the more familiar animals on the endangered animal species list is the Tasmanian Devil. Anyone who has watched several Looney Tunes specials would have seen the Taz do some crazy antics to draw the laughs. However, this particular animal is an endangered animal species because it suffers from its own version of cancer.
It has been more than 10 years since the Tasmanian Devil was put on the endangered list but just now that science is stepping in with a creative plan to save the species. The exact cancer is called Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Tumor start to grow around the mouth area and spreads to the lungs. This leads to wounds and eventually, starvation. The first case was diagnosed 15 years ago in Australia and more than 50% of the population has died since then. It spreads through biting which is something Tazmanian Devils often do to each other. Thus, at the present rate of decline in population, scientists predict extinction in 15 to 20 years.
With genome sequencing, medical researchers are trying to figure a way around the cancer hoping to bring a wee bit of the luck to this animal known for bad luck. Genome sequencing is working with the DNA of the Tasmanian Devils. The project used two Tasmanian Devils known as Spirit and Cedric. The researchers found Cedric and tried altering its DNA which was successful for a time until Cedric died. Spirit was at death’s bed when they found her but researchers were able to revive her and get samples for their study.
They discovered that these species lack genetic diversity. In short, the immune system cannot protect the body from the cancer. Considering that the Tasmanian Devils were able to survive with this “flaw” for many generations suggests that there is hope in the survival of the species. One suggestion was to breed them in captivity under a controlled environment. There is also a vaccination being developed but with no timetable in place, the former suggestion would appear to be the most viable.