Tasmania’s wilderness was isolated from the perils of the Australian mainland for 10,000 years but human impacts have now begun to threaten its native animals and plants.
The forest’s top predators, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the Tasmanian devil are among those under threat. A mysterious facial tumour disease now threatens the devils future and 56% of the state is already affected. Fewer than 1500 Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles remain and despite being listed as endangered under federal and state law, the population continues to decline.
Predators suffer a large range of problems with people
Seven percent of eagles are killed annually by illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning
The introduction of man made structures, such as powerlines and wind turbines, into eagle habitat has increased eagle mortality in recent years
The placement of wind turbines and powerlines away from eagle flightpaths and territories can reduce mortality from these structures
Cars hit devils and eagles when these predators feed on road kill victims along roadsides
As devil numbers have plummeted in recent years, the number of eagles hit by cars has increased
