Can Tasmanian Devils Be Saved From Deadly Virus?
Now Cedric has given scientists new hope. When he was injected with dead facial tumour cells he produced antibodies – the first devil to do so. That means other devils with his mix of genes may be resistant to the disease, or capable of responding to a vaccine. Researchers at the University of Tasmania described this as the most promising development of their five-year battle to prevent the creatures from going the way of the extinct Tasmanian tiger. “I think this is the most exciting thing that has happened in this programme,” Greg Woods told The Australian newspaper. “The devils could be their own saviours.” Cedric and his half-brother, Clinky, were captured nine months ago and injected with dead cells. While Cedric produced an immune response, Clinky did not. Scientists say the two males have a different genetic make-up. Only Cedric’s recognised the disease as an invader. Two months ago, the pair were injected with live tumour cells. The disease has a six-month incubation period. Cl
