animalphiles

Tasmanian devils to get help from Taz's gang

Many people's only exposure to tasmanian devils is the whirling dervish known as Taz in the Warner Brothers' Looney Toons cartoons. So it seems fitting that WB is stepping in to help the animals who inspired the popular character.

The devils are threatened by a contagious cancer that causes grotesque facial tumors. 90% of the animals in northwest Tasmania have been wiped out, and the disease is spreading to populations in the south and east. Scientists estimate that within five years, there will be no disease-free population in Tasmania -  the only place in the world where the devils exist outside zoos.

Australian officials say Warner Bros. will donate money from the sale of DVDs featuring Looney Toons (such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck) to help efforts to save the only wild population of devils in the world. Proceeds will be donated to a fund managed by the University of Tasmania.
photo: Menna Jones

Albino wallaby ventures out at Italian zoo

An albino wallaby named 'Pino' by the staff of Le Cornelle nature park was born in Valbrembo, northern Italy on March 18. He came out of its mother's pouch about two weeks ago and is now on show in the park.

The New Zealand Herald has a lovely photo gallery of this white wonder.

Possible cull for Australian kangaroos

Australia's Defense Department wants to have more than 3,000 kangaroos killed near Canberra. Officials say the population is too big and is eating through the grassy habitats of endangered species. Some experts say there are as many as 1,100 kangaroos per square mile in the region. But animal rights activists say any cull would be cruel and unneccesary.

Canberra's local government is expected to decide this week whether to approve the shooting of 3,200 eastern grays. 

Kangaroos are Australia's national symbol but many critics say they are a pest in agricultural areas, eating pastures intended for livestock.

Scientists soon plan to test an oral contraceptive developed for kangaroos in an attempt to thin their numbers at one of the sites in suburban Belconnen, according to government ecologist Don Fletcher.

"Shooting kangaroos is a violent thing that for urban populations is becoming increasingly undesirable," said Fletcher, who is developing the contraceptive in conjunction with the University of Newcastle for trial on 20 female survivors of the cull.

Relocation pondered for Tasmanian devils

A contagious cancer is sweeping through the Tasmanian devil population on the island they are named for - the only place in the world they exist outside of zoos. So some scientists are planning to relocate 30 healthy devils to nearby Maria Island — a former 19th century prison that is now home to several endangered species of birds.

The disease, which causes grotesque facial tumors, was first noticed in the mid-1990s in the state's northeast, where 90 percent of the devils have since perished. It is relentlessly spreading south and west. Scientists estimate that within five years, there will be no disease-free population in Tasmania.

State and federal governments are expected to approve the move to Maria Island within weeks. But there is controversy because scientists can only guess at the impact the introduced carnivores will have on the uninhabited island's ecology.

Maria would be the first of about half a dozen islands to become quarantined colonies of wild devils.

Advocates hope that if devils are wiped out on the Tasmanian mainland the disease will die along with them, and the animals placed in havens can then be safely reintroduced.

Tasmanian devils face uncertain future

One of the most unusual animals in a nation filled with strange creatures is being threatened by disease.
Tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils are being felled by facial tumors that grow so large they prevent the animal from eating.

Scientists estimate the devils could be extinct within 15 years if the disease goes unchecked. One wildlife researcher told the BBC the people of Tasmania are determined to save the distinctive creature, which is the island state's largest marsupial carnivore.

Read more on the BBC's Web site.
photo: Wayne McLean

Wallaby darned! Kangaroo cousin caught in California

One does not expect to see a wallaby hopping down the streets of Fontana, California. So it created quite a stir when one went on a walkabout (or would that be hop-about?) in a suburban neighborhood Tuesday.

A local resident was baby-sitting the wallaby when it escaped. San Bernardino Animal Control got the call, and soon "Walter" was in custody.  Officials are trying to find out if the owner has the proper paperwork keeping an exotic pet. Read more in the San Bernardino Sun (and see more photos by staff photog Eric Reed). Also, check out the always-funny Jeanne Moos' take on the action at CNN.com.