Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science Is Helping the World's Largest Marsupial Carnivore Survive

Scientists in the Field

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

In this addition to the critically acclaimed Scientist in the Field series, Dorothy Patent follows the scientists trying to put a stop to a gruesome disease before it's too late. Tasmanian devils are dying at an alarming rate from a type of tumor that appears to be contagious. What scientists are learning while researching the Tasmanian devil has potential to affect all animals, and even humans, as they learn more about how to prevent and hopefully eradicate certain genetic diseases.

In 1995, a deadly disease began sweeping across the Australian island state of Tasmania, killing every infected Tasmanian devil. The disease moved so fast that some scientists feared the species would be wiped out in the wild within a few decades.

Where did this disease, named Devil Facial Tumor Disease, come from? What caused it--a virus, bacteria, or something else? How did it pass from one devil to another? What could be done to fight it?

When author Dorothy Hinshaw Patent learned of the race to save the devil from her friend, Australian geneticist Jenny Graves, she felt compelled to travel to Australia to learn firsthand from scientists what they were finding out about these iconic Tasmanian animals and what they were doing to help it from disappearing in the wild.

Follow Dorothy as she takes readers on a fascinating journey into the Australian mainland and Tasmania, visiting parks and wildlife refuges and joining geneticist, ecologists, and other researchers as they work tirelessly to save Tasmania's unique icon.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Picture Books, Nature, Juvenile

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2019

About the author

As a child, my favorite activity was exploring nature, especially finding animals like frogs, toads, and lizards. I kept tropical fish, had a dog, and loved riding horses. My love of animals led to a Ph.D. degree from U.C. Berkley in Zoology. In grad school I met and married fellow student Greg Patent. Our two sons, David and Jason, were born before we finished school. I wanted to use my training and my knowledge, but I also wanted to raise my sons and be there for them when they needed me. I decided that writing the kind of books I'd always loved reading was a good solution to my dilemma, and that turned out to be true. One of my favorite things is learning new "stuff," and every time I tackle a new book project I get to indulge myself in that passion. I'm a lucky gal!

Fast forward to the present. Our sons are grown and have their own families. We live in Missoula, MT, where Greg is now a food writer (http://www.thebakingwizard.com) and a radio personality (httpp://www.mtpr.org--look for Food Guys). My writing has expanded to other nonfiction topics, especially ones dealing with the Westward Expansion period of U.S. history. I've taught writing classes in many venues, visited schools in most U.S. states, attended many conferences for teachers and librarians, won a number of awards, and had great travel adventures in pursuit of my subject matter.

Reviews

[Leslie Sachlis]

Sometimes studying animals leads to information that helps those who study human health issues. In 1995, Tasmanian Devils began getting very sick and dying. Sourcing the cause and studying the problem gave researchers a window into autoimmune disorders.
Do you remember Taz the cartoon character? The real Tasmanian Devils do not look like him. They are the size of a medium size dog, not destructive or crazy, nocturnal, and live a fairly solitary lifestyle. This is the story of some dedicated researchers who are attempting to save the Tasmanian Devils and in doing so may help humans as well.

[Douglas Emlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. It's scary to imagine a cancer becoming contagious. This book brings us to Tasmania to show us the world of the Tasmanian Devil, including how this new disease is decimating the devils. But it also shows us the many ways that scientists are tackling this problem, racing to find a vaccine to protect the devils, and also making important discoveries about cancer in general.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an excellent description of what scientists and veterinarians are doing to diagnose and cure a disease that has been wreaking havoc among these interesting animals (much like Covid 19 is wreaking havoc among humans). The text was interesting and informative and the accompanying photographs were gorgeous.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book, combining biology, zoology, and genetics. It looks at the scientists helping to solve the problem of Tasmanian Devil facial cancer disease. It includes maps, a glossary, and an index!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patent gives a history of the discovery of Devil Facial Tumor Disease and rescue efforts since then to preserve the species and see if a cure can be found.

Patent gives a good overview of the disease, Tasmanian devils in general, what kinds of scientists are working on the issue, and work to figure out how to save Tasmanian devils. But the book cuts off at 2017 even though it wasn't published till 2019. (I realize publishing does take quite a while, but usually they add some kind of note with updates right before printing in this kind of book.) The author kind of acts at the end like she's pretty sure Tasmanian devils will be fine soon and a cure is almost ready, but that doesn't seem to be the attitude of other rescue workers I've heard talking about DFTD more recently. There are some promising trials, but they are still working on a vaccine and doing research as of 2019. The devils aren't out of the woods yet, and I kind of wish the book ended on that note rallying readers that work is still needed to save these animals. Maybe I should read it as the author celebrating the success of all the efforts so far to preserve the species and work on a vaccine. I loved all the pictures from Australia and information about Tasmanian devils. They're cuter than Looney Tunes might have led you to believe (though they can be quite as noisy and ferocious as a certain cartoon character). There's some great information about the use of karyotypes and how cancers can develop. This cancer is very odd in that it can be passed from one creature to another. It'd be good to include with units on Mitosis. Also is a great look at how to preserve a species when we know it is under threat. Hand this to animal lovers, science nerds, those fascinated by Australia, and interested in cancer research.

[Katlyn Kauffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

summary- this book is about scientist from different backgrounds doing research on all parts of the world on working on how to save the Tasmanian Devil from going extinct. They are dying off very quickly from a devil facial tumor disease. Patent herself began working on the investigation as to what is causing the cancer and if it is curable. The author writes the book in a way that allows younger readers to understand the clear background of the animals genes, rescue efforts in the field, and the affects of the vaccines that have been produced. The photos show the landscape at which the animals survives in, other wildlife, and the research the scientists have done to try and save this animal.

evaluation- this book is great for students that love the specific animal and want to learn more about it. It helps the readers see what the scientist are doing to try and help the animals. It shows the reader the science behind what they have chosen to do and the impact behind it. It also better explains what the tumor is.

teaching point- this book is great for a student that may want to read more about the close extinction of this animals. It will also help them better understand the scientists in the field genre and how to comprehend the way it is formatted.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Scientists in the Field series. This nonfiction books takes the reader to Tasmania, Australia, where they are investigating a disease that is wiping out the Tasmanian devil population. It provides basic information about the Tasmanian devil, its habitat and symptoms of the disease. The book follows a team of researchers as they try to determine what the disease is and if there is a way to treat it. Various text boxes are scattered throghout the book that provide information that the author learned. Large, full-color photographs add further interest. Also included is a glossary, extensive source list and index. While the text is very interesting and is in a large font, there is a lot of text on most pages. This can make the book appear to be more challenging to read than it really is. Students who stick with it will learn a lot about the battle this unique animal faces.

Teaching considerations - AR level NA. Grades 6 - 8. This book can be used for pleasure reading, science units related to specific species, disease research or research on the Tasmanian devil.

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book on the Tasmanian Devil, the Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) and the efforts by scientists to save the Devils.

The book starts with an introduction to the Devils themselves, followed by the discovery of DFTD and what makes it so different compared to other forms of cancer. The book then covers the various scientists in various locations doing different kinds of research in the race to save the Devils from the disease.

Some of the scientists are studying the Devil's biology and environment to learn how they live and breed. Others are looking at DFTD directly to learn what it is, how it spreads and what can be done to make the Devils immune to the disease. Others are working on conservation, making sure the Devil have places to live on Tasman island with the support of the local community.

For now, it appears that some Devils can survive DFTD and they are adapting to it. The future of the Devil isn't yet certain but you will get some optimistic answers about the future of the Tasmanian Devil from this short, yet comprehensive book on the Devils.

[Ally Goddard]

Summary:
This book is about how Tasmanian devils are dying very rapidly by a type of tumor that is contagious. Scientists have researched the Tasmanian devil and how they save it. They have held investigations to see what they can do to stop the tumor from spreading and see if there is a cure.

Evaluation:

The book is very well written and provides a lot of research to back up the authors points. The book is great for readers who want to learn more about how to save wildlife from going extinct. I think this book would be a great addition to a classroom library.

Teaching point:

I would use this book as one is a set for students to pick from for a research report. They would pick a topic of interest and read the research, like this, and write a report about the topic.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating little book about a little animal that has a big impact on the ecosystem of Tasmania and ultimately the world. I appreciated the clear writing, the easy to follow investigation that she set out on to find out what scientists studying DFTD have discovered and are doing to help this largest of the marsupials on Tasmania. This should surely get some readers thinking about this kind of career in science. Again, fascinating.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and very hopeful account of how scientists are helping to conquer a disease that has been killing the Tasmanian Devil population. Lots of information about the species as well as the research effort.

As always with this series - fabulous photographs! Excellent back matter and documentation.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scientists in the Field never disappoints. This volume follows the "World's Largest Marsupial Carnivore" as the species struggles to survive a weird, tumorous virus. Great photography and a non-fiction plot line that will keep you riveted!

[Heather Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will be fantastic for middle grade readers interested in animals, conservation, Australia/Tasmania, or science. The scientific terms can be dense at times, but the pictures and short chapters will have wide appeal for middle grade readers.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patent travels to Tasmania to follow scientists as they work to save the Tasmanian Devil from a contagious, cancerous facial disease. The scientists track, treat, and vaccinate, leading to a successful result.

[Michelle Glatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing this engaging and enlightening book for School Library Connection.

[Brenda Kahn]

My love for this series is not a secret. It just gets better with every book!

[Nancy]

A terrific addition to the Scientists in the Field series!

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Random thoughts on new favorite travel mascot
Didn’t hear anything about this disease this spring
Chap 1 chromosomes really dense to understand
“Biting and threatening to bite are a big part of a Tasmanian devil‘s life.”
Backward facing pouch
No wild marsupials in Europe Africa Asia
Tug of war feeding time - we saw that!
Great book!

[Mills College Library]

599.27 P2956 2019