Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Fauna) Permit is open until 10 October
Applicant: University of Tasmania
Species/Taxon: Tasmanian devils (target), other marsupial species and birds (off target)
Location: Maria Island and Narawntapu National Parks, Private land (Bridport Free Range Enclosure (FRE); 301 Halls Track Road, Sandfly Tas 7150; 25 Brushy Creek Rd, Lenah Valley TAS 7008; 393 Lenah Valley Rd, Lenah Valley, Tas 7008; 82 Majors Rd, Middleton, Tas 7163; 64 Sharpes Rd, Crabtree, Tas 7109)
Title of research: Placebo bait testing uptake in Tasmanian devils
Aim of project: Our long-term objective is to develop a vaccine that can prevent devil facial tumour (DFT) 1 and 2 and break the cycle of transmissible cancers in the devils. The project for this permit aims to test if devils will take placebo baits (without a vaccine) and what other species will eat the bait.
Justification: We are working with Tasmanian devils because they suffer from two transmissible cancerous diseases and we believe we can develop a vaccine to prevent these tumours. We would like to undertake this project on reserve land because that is where the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program will trap devils, so we can collect a small amount of blood from these animals.
Developing a vaccine against DFT1/2 will have huge conservation and welfare benefits to the Tasmanian devil population and the Tasmanian landscape. It will prevent 1000s of individual devils from dying a painful death and will be a powerful management tool in the conservation efforts of Tasmanian devils.
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved: 10s (likely 50-60)
Activities undertaken and methods: We would like to dispense placebo baits (we will use either FOXOFF® or FOXSHIELD®) in the field, in locations where devils will be trapped. The baits will contain 1mg/bait of iophenoxic acid, which is a safe compound that has been validated as biomarker with captive devils and did not result in any adverse effects for Eastern quolls, spotted tail quolls, brushtail possums, or kangaroos. We will collect a small amount of blood from devils in the area, after the deployment of the baits.
Preliminary trial (a few days/weeks before a trapping trip): This preliminary trial aims to determine if wild Tasmanian devils will have the opportunity and motivation to consume ground baits. We plan to lay up to five automatic bait dispensers near each trap site. Baits that are consumed overnight will be replaced the next day. We plan to deploy the dispensers 1-2 weeks before the STDP trapping trip, for 3-15 days. We intend to set camera traps near the bait dispensers (approximately 3 metres away) to verify if other animals consume the baits (e.g., rats, brushtail possums, feral cats, wallabies, wombats). This will inform us if the AI component of the dispenser is working as it should, that is, dispensing baits only to devils.
Trial: Once the trapping trip starts, we will collect a small amount of blood (3 mL) from each trapped devil (up to two times if at least 4 days have passed between collection), caught in any of the targeted traps and in the adjacent trapping areas. We will test the blood in the laboratory to determine if we can detect the IPA, hence confirming bait consumption. Please note, the trapping of devils is part of the STDP monitoring program.
Blood collection in conscious devils: Oversight of Tasmanian devils is the role of STDP within the NRE Tas, which has state government approval to monitor and sample devil tissues. During a trapping trip, carried out by STDP biologists, devils are caught in pipe traps and manually restrained in a hessian sack by an experienced biologist or team member for examination beside the trap.
The blood collection will occur with the animal conscious, during the health check. Three millilitres (3 mL) of blood will be collected from the jugular vein with a 21G hypodermic needle and syringe by a veterinarian. Blood will be transferred into serum tubes. This volume of blood equates to 0.6% - 1.2% total blood volume for devils with body weights ranging from 5kg to 10kg, which is well below the maximum volume that can be collected safely.
Please note, we might distribute baits (without IPA) in areas where trapping is not scheduled, to determine bait consumption by devils and other species.
Fate of animals: devils will be released at the site of capture.
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch): We don’t expect any side effects due to the bait consumption, as there is extensive literature on the safety of IPA use in humans and animals. Devils will have a small discomfort for the blood collection (needle prick), but this will happen only once and for a very short time.