The Tasmanian devil is being devastated by a disease that has killed tens of thousands of the creatures, reducing the population by up to a third.

An urgent meeting of wildlife specialists will be told today that the devil population is crashing in some areas because of a facial tumour disease thought to be linked to a virus.

The illness causes the growth of incapacitating tumours on the animals' faces. The animals quarrel readily over scavenged food, and some believe it may be spread when they fight.

In some areas, recent surveys showed the population had fallen by up to 80 per cent, Tasmania's Environment Minister, Bryan Green, said.

"High-density devil populations are the hardest hit by the disease," he said.

Devil numbers probably peaked in Tasmania in the mid-1990s at about 150,000 to 200,000, he said. "They may have been reduced by one-quarter or one-third as a result of the disease," he said.

The Tasmanian devil is Australia's largest marsupial carnivore. The quarrelsome scavenger with the unearthly howl is recognised internationally as a symbol of the state.

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they better take care of that quick. that could spread far and fast. thanks for the story, its a shame the animals have to suffer like that.

CASTOR