UTAS Home › College of Sciences and Engineering › Zoology › › Tas Devil Volunteers
Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a fatal condition that is currently affecting most populations of Tasmanian devils.
The School of Biological Sciences at the University of Tasmania is undertaking several research projects.
Volunteers are needed to help with:
.
Live trapping involves setting up 40 traps in a 25 km2 area during ten days. During this time we will use a capture-mark-recapture approach to study population dynamics and gather epidemiological data. While in the field we will take several biological samples including, blood, faeces, hair, whiskers and biopsies from all devils and tumours.
Volunteers will be asked to sterilize, bait, and set up devil traps. As we need to take as much ecological and epidemiological information as possible, volunteers will be asked to fill different data sheets and assist with related aspects of our research, such as keeping records of biological samples and epidemiological data, helping to assess devil behavioural parameters and archiving genetic samples.
Fieldwork is undertaken at several study sites, (see Schedule section) including central, northern and southern Tasmania. No previous experience with wildlife is required but volunteers must be comfortable working for extended periods of time under challenging weather conditions.
Please note:
Field Schedule 2019
North-central Tasmania, West Pencil Pine - Cradle Mountain
(Accommodation provided on site)
January 27th - Feb 7th
May 13th – 24th
Aug 12th – 23rd
Nov 11th – 22nd
South-eastern Tasmania, D’Entrecasteaux Channel
(Departing every day from Hobart, volunteers must arrange their own accommodation in Hobart)
February 9th – 19th
February 22nd - March 4th
May 1st – 11th
May 13th - 23rd
August 1st - 11th
August 13th – 23rd
November 1st - 11th
November 13th - 23rd
North eastern Tasmania, wukalina / Mt William National Park
(Accommodation provided on site)
March 1st – 12th
May 25th – June 5th
August 25th – September 5th
November 24th – December 5th
Note: all dates are subject to change and need to be confirmed with field leader before making travel arrangements.
To volunteer please contact: Rodrigo Hamede
School of Natural Sciences | University of Tasmania
Private Bag 5, Hobart | Tasmania 7001 | Australia
Authorised by the Head of School, Biological Sciences
16 January, 2019
Future Students | International Students | Postgraduate Students | Current Students
© University of Tasmania, Australia ABN 30 764 374 782 CRICOS Provider Code 00586B
Copyright | Privacy | Disclaimer | Web Accessibility | Site Feedback | Info line 1300 363 864