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Save the Tasmanian
Devil Appeal 
The
Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal is the fundraising arm of
the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, aimed at saving the
Tasmanian Devil from the devestating effects of
the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease
(DFTD), a unique contagious cancer, spread by biting, which
is consistently fatal. The Tasmanian Devil is now listed as
an Endangered Species. All
proceeds to The Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal are directed
IN FULL towards
research and management programs across the globe endorsed
by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. The Save the Tasmanian
Devil Appeal is coordinated by the University of Tasmania
Foundation. Donations are tax deductible.
You
can help save our Tassie Devil!
Donate
Online Now
(Donations
over $2 are tax deductible in Australia. Tax reciepts are
issued to donors who send donations directly to the University
of Tasmania Foundation either on line or by mail or bank account.)
NEWS
Crunch time for the Tassie Devil
Biscottelli, a Tasmanian gourmet biscuit producer has committed 100 per cent of their profits to help Save the Tasmanian Devil, aiming to generate over $40,000 annually for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal to support research to combat DFTD.
Biscottelli owner Chris Scott said her decision to throw her support behind the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and Appeal was influenced by three inspirational people.
“I’ve been lucky to work for three incredible women – Anita Roddick, of the Body Shop, Jan Cameron, of Kathmandu, and Joan Masterman, of Freycinet Experience – whose contributions to social and environmental issues have had a profound effect on me, especially when it comes to business ethics,” she said.
Ms Scott firmly believes that it’s not just big business that has the power to make a difference.
“Individuals can be just as effective in raising awareness for worthy causes.
“A few people have asked how we can possibly donate 100 per cent of our profits, but I want this business to become the business of the Tasmanian Devil; an investment in the future.”
Prof Hamish McCallum, Senior Scientist with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program said the funds would be allocated across a range of scientific research projects to help save the devil, through Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal (which is administered through the University of Tasmania).
“This is an extraordinary act of unconditional generosity,” said Prof McCallum.
“Donations to the Appeal are critical to support investigations into DFTD”.
Qantas continues helping to Save
the Tassie Devil
Qantas is helping save the Tasmanian devil
from extinction, in partnership with the University of Tasmania
and the Tasmanian Government. Tassie
devil donation sculptures placed Tasmanian National Park visitor
centers, the Tasmanian Mueseum and art Gallery and Hobart
Launceston, Melbourne and Sydney domestic airports to collect
donations for the Save the Tassie Devil Appeal have so far
raised over $42 000. The immense success of this Qantas initiative
allowed us to recently award a further three Qantas scholarships
during the December 2007 Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal Grant
and Scholarship round .
Most importantly the research Qantas is now
supporting crosses the most significant areas of the response
to DFTD, including transmission, population modelling and
immune responses and helps establish the strongest foundation
for breeding populations through assisting with their genetic
diversity. In particular the work of Alex Kreiss has been
critical in identifying the possibility of a genetic group
of devils who may be resistant to the disease. His research
continues and helps direct the collection of the ark population
taking place during 2008.
This latest research is beginning to have
some positive outcomes and offers a real boost to ensuring
our Tassie devil roams wild for a long while to come. It would
not have been possible without the commitment of Qantas to
helping Save the Tasmanian Devil.
Qantas established the Qantas
Tasmanian Devil Research Scholarship at the University
of Tasmania.
read
the press release
visit
the Qantas Environment site
ABOUT THE
SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL APPEAL
The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii),
which is unique to Australia’s only island state, has
been devestated by a facial tumour disease which threatens
to wipe out wild Tasmanian devil populations around the State.
In some populations up to 90 per cent have died and authorities
are deeply concerned that if the spread of the disease is
not stemmed the Tassie Devil will become extinct.
Since the mid-1990’s populations of
the Tasmanian devil, the world’s largest marsupial carnivore
have been devastated by the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour
Disease (DFTD), a unique contagious cancer, spread by biting,
which is consistently fatal.
The Tasmanian Devil is now listed as an Endangered
Species.
Made famous as a character in the Bugs Bunny
and other Warner Bros. cartoons, the Tassie Devil is the world’s
largest surviving marsupial carnivore.
The University of Tasmania, in partnership
with the Federal and Tasmanian State Government, launched
the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and Appeal to oversee
the response to the disease and raise funds for vital research.
The aim of the program is “to maintain the Tasmanian
devil as an ecologically functional species in the wild”.
UTAS is assisting with research programs into all areas of
the disease including transmission, immune responses and population
modelling.
Visit www.tassiedevil.com.au
to find out more about the Save the Tasmanian
Devil Program and Appeal.
For more details on the Tasmanin devil visit
he Department of Primary Industries and Water website
about the Tasmanian Devil.
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