The Bob Brown Foundation has been given devastating photos of a Tasmanian Devil which appears to have been burned to death by a government-sanctioned logging burn on 21st March. The photos were given to the foundation by an experienced bushwalker who wants to remain anonymous. Unfortunately, the carcass was removed overnight, presumably by animal scavengers. That will lead to pro-logging scepticism about it but we have published it because we believe it is as authentic as it is dreadful. A report about the dead devil has been sent to the Forest Practices Authority.
“This is the first time that we have had photographic evidence of the carnage to animals caught up in the annual autumn firebombing of native forests, as is now under way. Nothing lives through these dangerous and unnecessary fires, lit by napalm-like incendiaries dropped from helicopters. Every snail, lizard, possum, quoll, and devil that does not escape in time is burnt to a cinder,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Manager.
“The photo of this charred devil – it looks like a juvenile – burnt by the Forestry Tasmania operation, shocked us. There is no telling how many Tasmanian devils and other endangered species have died as a direct result of forestry Tasmania’s archaic native forest logging and burning practices,” said Dr Colette Harmsen, wildlife veterinarian.
“Tasmanian devils play a crucial role in keeping the local environment in balance. There will be widespread ecosystem dysfunction if they go extinct. Every risk to Tasmanian devil numbers must be challenged – including habitat loss, roadkill and any practice that threatens devil populations,” Dr Colette Harmsen said.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for an immediate halt to the logging and burning of Tasmania’s native forests.
The Devil was photographed in the southern Central Highlands of Tasmania, in a logging area named WW032D by Forestry Tasmania. The Devil is no longer in the spot it was photographed, presumably because scavenging wildlife removed it.
