Donations made to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal will be distributed across five research grants this year to fund projects that include the development of a ‘bait’ vaccine. This will differ from the vaccine type developed several years ago that aimed to slow the progression of the facial tumour disease that has ravaged populations of devils in the wild for more than 20 years. (The Veterinarian March 2015.)
The grants will assist established and early-career researchers and higher degree students to ensure that conservation skills are fostered in the next generation of researchers and will be reviewed through the Tasmanian Devil Research Advisory Committee.
Khal Glinda is the recipient of The Tall Foundation Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Honours Scholarship and will work under the supervision of Andrew Flies, an Associate Professor and Select Foundation Principal Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical research, in Hobart. The ‘bait’ vaccine trials are designed to work when eaten by devils and Flies said the first iteration has been in hand for about 18 months.
“We need to make enough for trials in 22 captive devils, and we need permits to do that but we’re hoping to be testing around October,” he said.
Other grant projects focus on different areas of research which build on the knowledge and understanding of DFTD with the ultimate goal being to prevent tumours forming in devils. Funds supporting the grants are collected through the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, and whether they are a single dollar donation or a much large amount Flies said all the money that is collected will be put to good use.
“Some of the other grants will allow us to thoroughly dissect this vaccine trial, and the more trials we can do the closer we get. We’ve got great support, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to try to help devils.” he said.
Anne Layton-Bennett
image: Davide Clode