Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a fatal condition that is currently affecting most populations of Tassie devils.
The Discipline of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, at the University of Tasmania is undertaking several research projects.
Project provides accommodation, food, transport and parks & wildlife passes.
Live Trapping - West Pencil Pine (Cradle Mountain area)
Live trapping involves setting up forty traps in a 25sq km area during ten days. During this time we will undertake a capture-mark-recapture to study population dynamics and gather epidemiological data. While in the field we will take several biological samples including, biopsies and fine needle aspirates from tumours, as well as blood, faeces, hair and whiskers from devils.
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 when examining devils, volunteers will be asked to fill different data sheets and assist with related aspects of our research, such as keeping records of all biological samples and epidemiological data and help to assess devil behavioural parameters.
Please note: volunteers are not allowed to handle animals volunteers are required to stay for the entire length of each trip.
Fieldwork is undertaken at West Pencil Pine, a devil population in the surrounding areas of Cradle Mountain National Park.
The length of field trips range from 1 to 2 weeks per trip and volunteers are required to stay for the entire length of each trip.
Fieldwork is undertaken at West Pencil Pine, a devil population in the surrounding areas of Cradle Mountain National Park and at Narawntapu National Park.
Field Schedule 2017
Fieldwork will be undertaken in central Tasmania (around Cradle Mountain National Park) and in southern Tasmania.
Note: all dates are subject to change and need to be confirmed before making travel arrangements.
To volunteer please contact: Rodrigo Hamede (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Wildlife Ecology | School of Biological Sciences | University of Tasmania
Private Bag 55, Hobart | Tasmania 7001 | Australia
Ph: +61 03 62261890 | Fax +61 03 62262745 | mobile: 0428394626
