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	The Devil Island Project East Coast Natureworld owners Bruce and Maureen Englefield have donated the use of 28 acres of land to the Tasmanian government in order to establish a wild population of disease free devils. They will be enclosed within a double security fence system. This wil present a biosecure environment against the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) where the devils can live and breed naturally with minimal interference. 'Devil Island 'could be a prototype for expansion to other Wildlife Parks and landowners to eventually have 300 devils kept in a wild state for eventual release back to the wild. This will overcome the problems associated with captive bred animals no longer having the ability to survive in the wild and being unsuitable for release.

What is DFTD? The Tasmanian Devil disease appears to be a new condition that is restricted to Tasmanian devils.

No affected animals were reported among the 2000-plus Tasmanian devils trapped by wildlife biologists between 1964 and 1995.

Once the cancer becomes visible, it always appears to be fatal - usually within several months.

Small lesions, or lumps, in and around the mouth quickly develop into large tumours on the face and neck (and sometimes other parts of the body).

Tasmanian devils with facial tumours find it difficult to eat. Death results from starvation and the breakdown of body functions.

In diseased areas, nearly all the Tasmanian devils that are sexually mature (older than two years of age) become infected and succumb to the disease.

Juveniles as young as one year old can also be infected.