Tasmania moved devils to Maria Island; 3,000-pair penguin colony disappeared
The introduction of Tasmanian devils to Maria Island as an insurance population has led to the disappearance of a 3,000-pair little penguin colony. Conservationists note that the island's lack of mammalian predators previously made it a critical sanctuary for ground-nesting birds.
Why it matters
This illustrates the unintended ecological consequences of conservation efforts when species are introduced into sensitive, isolated habitats.
In 2012, 28 Tasmanian devils were brought to Maria Island off Tasmania’s east coast as an “insurance population” when facial tumour disease was severely affecting the species. The devils have since thrived, with their numbers reaching up to 90. But their success has been linked to a major decline in local wildlife, including the disappearance of a little penguin colony that once had about 3,000 breeding pairs.Maria Island had been free of predators for thousands of years, according to ABC news. This made it a safe place for ground-nesting and flightless birds, including the Tasmanian native hen, shearwaters, Cape Barren geese and little penguins.The facial tumour had severely affected devil populations in many parts of Tasmania. With healthy animals needed to help protect the species from the impact of the disease, a group was moved to Maria Island.The population grew well after the release.
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