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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Tumor-Stricken Tasmanian Devils Now 'Endangered'

Australia ups protections for devastated, iconic species

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(Newser) – The Tasmanian devil, the iconic inhabitant of the island off Australia and the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, is now officially endangered, reports the BBC. Under attack by a virulent disease characterized by facial tumors, the devil population may be as low as 20,000, down 70% since the mid-1990s. The new status of endangered—changed from "vulnerable"—gives the animals extra protections under Australian law.

Tex, a Tasmanian Devil, reacts in his enclosure at Sydney's Taronga Zoo Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Tex, a Tasmanian Devil, reacts in his enclosure at Sydney's Taronga Zoo Friday, Oct. 17, 2008   (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
In this handout photo from Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, a healthy Tasmanian Devil.
In this handout photo from Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, a healthy Tasmanian Devil.   (AP Photo/Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, HO, File)
In this undated photo taken in Australia and released by Tasmanian state's Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, a Tasmanian devil is pictured with a cancerous growth on its face.
In this undated photo taken in Australia and released by Tasmanian state's Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, a Tasmanian devil is pictured with a cancerous growth on its face.   (AP Photo/Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, HO, File)
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