The Tasmanian Devil is facing a serious threat of extinction within twenty years. The population of the famous marsupial carnivore that resides on the Island of Tasmania has declined by as much as 60 percent as a result of a vicious facial cancer afflicting the animal which can kill within months.

As a result of the rapid decline a group of Australian scientists have joined forces to attempt to save the animal through medical research. the project aims to use genetic analysis of the disease to find a vaccine to suppress it.

Jeremy Austin, a researcher from the University of Adelaide told Reuters, “We have lost over half our devils in the past 10 years, with an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature devils left. Extinction within the next 20 years is a real possibility unless we find a vaccine, eradicate the disease and establish captive colonies”

You can takepart in helping preserve the precious biodiversity of the Earth by logging onto the World Wildlife Fund.

LINKS:

Reuters: Scientists join forces to save the Australian devil

Fox News: Tasmanian Devils could be gone in 10 years

International Animal Rescue: Tasmanian Devil Struck by face cancer