Sunday Evening

[nightdog_barks]

Ugh, stress and sinuses making my jaw ache. To counteract, baby Tasmanian devils being adorable! Good god, they're so cute. :-D

Comments

[silverjackal]

There aren't enough specimens in zoos to carry on the species. Or if they did try to bolster the captive numbers, the risk of inbreeding depression and the associated issues is very high. They can't bring in wild-caught animals, because the disease is so blasted infectious, and wild populations have declined 70% since the early 1990's (the first outbreak was in 1996). Mortality in high density populations has been 100%. The disease itself is remarkable -- a *contagious* cancer, one of only a few types in the world, and a right bastard. As with the Ethiopian wolf, I say "Look well, look now, while you can. Future generations will not know them." I wish heart and soul to be proven wrong, but I wouldn't wager so much as a single cent.

[nightdog_barks]

Yeah, it's that "contagious cancer" part that's just terrifying. o_O

[silverjackal]

Indeed! When they initially thought a virus caused the cancer it was terrifying enough, but contagious through direct contact? D: