Tasmanian Devil: A Rough Life Even Before Birth
Today, the Tasmanian devil is found only on the island of Tasmania, although it once inhabited mainland Australia. This animal disappeared from the mainland about 600 years ago. It is believed to have been exterminated by dingoes brought there by Aboriginal people. European settlers also hunted Tasmanian devils, as the predators plundered chicken coops. The animals migrated further and further into undeveloped forested and mountainous areas of Tasmania, and their numbers dwindled significantly.
In 1941, hunting of the Tasmanian devil was officially banned. Export of these animals is prohibited. The last specimen of this species outside Australia died in California in 2004.