July 2006 - August 2006

We commenced a two month pilot study on the Cradle View Property intending to fine tune the CamTrakker passive infra-red digital cameras with the aim of capturing quality photographs of devils to be able to identify the animal.

We have developed "bait boxes" that are dug into the ground, these act as an attractant to the animals but do not supply enough food for a dependence to develop. The resolution of the cameras is excellent and by using the "bait boxes" the animals turn around constantly biting, digging and exploring which allows shots of all markings which makes the documentation and identification of each individual more accurate.

The results so far have exceeded our expectations and we have currently taken 161 devil photographs and identified 9 different individuals, including one female with young developing in the pouch. We have identified a representative population of many different ages. Thankfully we have not observed any signs of DFTD in our sample and all animals have been in good physical condition.

The program has taken 71 Eastern quoll pictures and 7 pictures of the highly elusive Spotted-tail quoll, as well as shots of wombats, possums and unwary staff!!

All in all the initial two months have been a success and we look forward to collating and presenting the data regularly at - www.devilsatcradle.com

The intention is to gradually increase the scope of the study to other areas within the Cradle Mt area as we increase camera stocks.

Chris Coupland

Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program Update
September 2006 - October 2006

We have now expanded the study area for the Field Monitoring Program (FMP) to include a second photo "trap" site approximately 500 metres from the first.

At this site we have had a number of the same individuals as site 1 but also 6 new individuals. These animals bring the total number of individuals observed in the study to 27.

Unfortunately we have also observed 3 individuals with DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease) at the two trap sites. Therefore the results currently suggest that there is at least a 12% infection rate within the "Cradle View" property. This important information was shared with the DPIW (Department of Primary Industry and Water) DFTD Task Force for inclusion in their studies and to the PWS field staff for accurate interpretation within the area.

Interestingly it currently appears that the devils are feeding for a longer period of time at the second trap site, which may be due to its more isolated location and the security that the surrounding dense vegetation provides. Throughout the study we have only photographed two individuals together at the same site once, therefore they don't appear to be freely feeding together.

We are frequently observing another threatened Tasmanian marsupial, the Spotted-tail quoll which is exciting as they are not in high numbers in this area and like the devil they are notoriously elusive.

We look forward to the continuing success for the FMP and keeping you up to date on the Devils@Cradle Website.

Chris Coupland

Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program Update
November 2006 - December 2006

This last period has been incredibly successful for the Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program.

The results show a drop in Eastern quoll activity with only 19 shots being taken in 3 months, increasing the total number of shots taken from 82 to 101. We are yet to identify the number of individual Eastern quolls in the study area.

Through the FMP, we have identified another spotted tail quoll which means that there is an adult male and a female within the study region. This is exciting as it is estimated that there may only be 4000-5000 individuals in the state.

We have also secured some amazing shots of a lesser long eared bat flying through the study site as a devil triggered the passive infra-red cameras with its movement. Another unusual photo was taken within the last week of a male spotted tail quoll and a large pademelon in the same frame. These two species are recognised as predator and prey. Why the pademelon was around the bait is uncertain but it may show that they will consume some flesh or the digested plant material in the intestines as brush tailed possums do. Also the cameras have identified Forest Ravens scavenging at night on the bait stations, which again is unusual as they are recognised as a diurnal species.

December and January is the time where young devils disperse from the maternal den. Accordingly the population increases and then decreases sharply as the young recruit into the population. Weaker juveniles and adults can not deal with the increased competition levels and attrition is severe. We have observed a noticeable jump in identified individuals in the study area. Last quarter there were 26 known animal, now it is 38. These animals showed varying body conditions with both adult and juvenile devils appearing emaciated. It will be interesting over the next quarter to observe the success of the young and also which adults succumb to attrition as we enter into the breeding season.

This period has seen an increase in the number of DFTD cases and also the number of newly identified devils. Despite an increase in the suspected DFTD cases the maximum percentage of observed animals affected is equal to last quarter at approximately 13%.

One adult female was reported in the study area killed by a vehicle. This animal was killed 800m east of Leary's Corner, was clearly emaciated and had an advanced case of DFTD.

Several animals were observed with lacerations on the jowls and neck which indicates mating behaviour. If so there is a correlation with an early start to the oestrus cycle in our captive females. Oestrus usually occurs in mid to late February. This may be occurring early due to the mild dry winter we experienced and the short sharp cold burst and then hot dry summer we are experiencing. This may have altered the animal's natural rhythms. It may also indicate the intense level of competition at the moment with so many young dispersing. It will be interesting to monitor the breeding season over the next quarter.

Chris Coupland

Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program Update
January 2007- February 2007

This period has proved very interesting as we have seen a marked decline in devil activity as the animals have come into oestrus and started mating.

The total number of devils has increased from 38 to 59 due to an expansion in the range of the study area to approximately 40 square kilometres of private property and reserve. Through ongoing donations we have purchased another 2 camtrakker units to monitor these more remote regions. These units are placed out and checked weekly and have shown some excellent specimens and no signs of DFTD. With an increase in total numbers of observed individuals and no more confirmed DFTD cases, the DFTD level is at its lowest recorded within the study at 5%.

This is a positive outcome but the results may be indicating that during the summer period high levels of competition from dispersing young and increased population density has caused the death of the animals affected by DFTD. Devils that can not compete tend to succumb to starvation, which is also what happens with individuals with DFTD. Increased competition from dispersing young would potentially accelerate the effects of DFTD on a population. It will be interesting to see if the observed occurrence of DFTD increases throughout the year as more animals that may have been infected present observable lesions.

Despite the increase in total number of devils observed, the activity levels at each site (indicated by the number of individual photos taken each night), has decreased. This may be caused by the start of the oestrus cycle, a greater interest in breeding and denning and a reliance on fat reserves built up over the summer.

Many of the juveniles have been successful over summer, with a number establishing their range around the cradle view property. These individuals are seen frequently on the property and at the camera sites.

We have also observed another 3 individual spotted tail quolls. It is theorised that Spotted tail quoll numbers could be on the increase due to a decline in devil numbers and the reduction in levels of competition. . However it is more likely that we are observing more quolls due to expanding the study area.

A concern is the total lack of Eastern quolls observed in the last quarter. We have not taken one shot of an Eastern Quoll in over 3 months. Hopefully this is not indicating a crash in the population. We will be watching very closely over the next quarter for any other indicators of Eastern quoll population decline.

Chris Coupland

Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program Update
March 2007 - May 2007

This period showed initially a complete lack of devil activity due to continued mating. The mating season seemed to be longer than usual with many animals within the captive population mating in April rather than March. Towards the end of the quarter, devil activity increased dramatically.

For the first time in this study we experienced technical difficulties with 2 of our camera units and also the computer system! One camera unit was out of action for a month while new parts were obtained, which limits some of the results obtained this quarter. Thanks to the crew at Camtrakker for the swift responses and replacement of the unit battery which proved faulty!

We have seen a rise in the number of Eastern quolls observed this quarter, which is pleasing as last quarter no activity was recorded. Spotted tail quoll activity is becoming quite frequent with several individuals at site 1, 2 and 3 regularly photographed. As we move into the next quarter both species of quoll will be breeding which will probably limit our observations of their behaviour.

We are currently not recording any individuals within the four study sites with DFTD. We have seen a steady decline of individuals observed with DFTD which is positive. We suspect that as the young dispersed over summer the levels of competition grew and it was not only providing tremendous rates of attrition on the young devils but those weakened with DFTD. We may see the rate of DFTD increase again with the progression of winter as the level of contact was increased through breeding over this quarter.

First Eastern Quoll Photographed for 3 months!

Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program Update
1st of July 2006 - 30th of June 2007

July 1st 2007 marked one full year (12 months) of the Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program. During this time we have taken 1758 photographs of Tasmanian devils and confidently identified a possible 77 individuals.

Tragically 4 of these 77 individuals have been identified with DFTD, one of which was killed by a vehicle on Cradle Mountain Road near Leary's Corner.

The occurrence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) in the population as a percentage of the total number of individuals observed has declined sharply from 11.5% at its maximum to 5.2% (see below). This is a very positive finding and may indicate that there is some resistance to DFTD in the Cradle Mountain area or that the population within an alpine area is more solitary in its activity and therefore less efficient at spreading the disease.

7 individual Spotted-tail quolls were observed through 243 photographs. 4 male, 2 female and 1 juvenile (killed by a vehicle on Cradle Mountain Road) None of these individuals showed any signs of lesions, supporting the idea that DFTD is restricted to the Tasmanian devil population.

Approximately 10 Eastern Quolls were observed over the 12 months through 104 photographs. Initially this species was photographed much more frequently than the Spotted -tail quoll and Tasmanian devil but the rate of capture has declined through the second part of the study. This may indicate that the animals are becoming trap shy. Hopefully it does not indicate that the Eastern Quoll population is declining.

This initial 12 months of research has provided us with a greater understanding of the Tasmanian devil population around Cradle Mt. and the current effects of DFTD however, the Program is ongoing and we look forward to learning more over the next 12 months. We will keep you updated on the results throughout next year and beyond!

Statistical summary of initial 12 months of study
Study area - Cradle View property 9.92ha and Middlesex Station

Tasmanian devil
Total photographs - 1758
Total individuals - 77
Adult Males - 35
Adult Females - 34
Juveniles - 8
Confirmed DFTD Cases - 4 (5.2.% of observed)
Injured devils Rehabilitated -1

Spotted Tail Quoll
Total photographs - 243
Total individuals - 7
Male - 4
Female - 2
Juvenile - 1

Eastern Quoll
Total photographs - 104
Total individuals - Approximately 10