RETURN TO THE WILD

- translocation of captive-raised Tasmanian devils

The value of captive breeding for endangered species recovery programs is controversial because of the low post-release survival of founder animals following translocation.

 

Captive-raised mammalian carnivores lose natural behaviours, such as hunting and foraging; thus, founder animals may starve.

 

The Tasmanian devil is threatened with extinction because of a unique infectious cancer, and translocation programs of captive-raised animals will be an important part of long-term species conservation strategies.

 

We are following the survival and foraging behaviour of captive-reared devils and their progeny following release onto an offshore island in an assisted colonisation program.