RECENTLY classified as endangered under Tasmania’s Threatened Species Protection Act, the Tasmanian Devil, the country’s most treasured and unique native animal, is under serious threat of extinction.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), a non–profit conservation organisation, is working with the Tasmanian Government to save the Tasmanian Devil. According to the CVA a cancer has spread through the carnivorous marsupial population, with sightings of the animal having declined in the last 10 years by more than 60 percent.
This was confirmed by a new report issued by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature last month (the 2008 IUCN Red List) at the World Conservation Congress held in Barcelona Spain.
Naturewise Conservation Holidays, operated by CVA, give international visitors to Australia an opportunity to learn more about the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and contribute to efforts to save it from extinction.
One day tours from Naturewise depart from Hobart to take visitors to the Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre. Bonorong plays a significant part in the mission to ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’. Under the direction of Dr Sally Bryant, the 14 ‘Tassie Devils’ onsite at the wildlife park are part of the vital recovery programme.
From Bonorong, the day tour continues to Mount Field National Park to give visitors an intimate experience of significant Tasmanian Devil habitat.
There is also a two day tour to Bruny Island, where visitors can participate in a hands on conservation project to help restore the habitat of two endangered bird species. A full week Tassie sojourn with Naturewise Conservation Holidays takes in Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Parks, in addition to stunning regions off the normal tourist route. Practical conservation projects along the way allow visitors to full participate and make an active contribution to saving the environment.
All profits generated by the company are donated back into practical conservation projects operated by CVA.
Founded in 1982, CVA has completed over 2,000 conservation projects each year.
Projects include tree planting, wildlife research, habitat repair, track construction and heritage restoration. More than 10,000 locals and visitors take part in the programmes every year.