IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN CAPTIVE TASMANIAN DEVILS

Wild populations of Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are threatened by the spread of the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

An insurance population of healthy devils is being held in Australian zoos and wildlife parks (together with the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment).  Captive breeding of devils is an important part of the recovery program.  Unfortunately, breeding in captive devils has not been highly successful. The ARAZPA-DPIPWE Insurance Population Management Team are investigating cases of failed conception/pregnancy with the aim of improving captive-breeding success in Tasmanian Devils.

As part of this investigation, Ms Tamara Keeley of the Wildlife Reproductive Centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo is examining the relationships between reproductive and corticoid (stress) hormone concentrations and signs of oestrus, dates of mate introductions and durations of pairings in Tasmanian Devils. 

AIMS

The aim of this project is to increase our knowledge of the temporal relationship between reproductive and corticoid hormones and Tasmanian Devil behaviour during natural mating and parturition.  A greater understanding of these relationships will allow us to investigate possible mechanisms that may be reducing potential captive breeding success in Tasmanian Devils (eg. reproductive suppression, or physical and environmental disruptors).

METHODS

Faecal samples and information regarding oestrus and breeding attempts were collected from adult captive female devils housed in seven Australian zoos or wildlife parks (including Healesville Sanctuary) during the 2009 breeding season. Samples were taken to the Wildlife Reproductive Centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo for reproductive and corticoid hormones analysis.

RESULTS

Data collection and analysis is currently underway for this project.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

By increasing our understanding of the fundamental reproductive processes in Tasmanian Devils, this project may help improving the timing of mate introductions and refine our management practices to increase the success of captive breeding efforts.

PROJECT PARTNERS

This project is a collaborative effort between:

• Wildlife Reproductive Centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
• Tasmanian DPIPWE and ARAZPA Institutions holding insurance population devils (including Australian Reptile Park, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Healesville Sanctuary, Taronga Zoo, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Zoological Park).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

- on Tasmanian Devils:

- and conservation at Healesville Sanctuary (click to follow link).

- latest updates on conservation activities (click to follow link).

- and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (click to follow link).

- on the Wildlife Reproductive Centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo - click here.