"Tasmanian Devils Developing Immune Response To Contagious Face Cancer"

"Breakthrough the first indication the tumour is survivable and confirms research showing marsupials are rapidly evolving in response to the disease "

"Tasmanian devils have developed a natural immune response to the deadly facial tumour disease, confirming research that suggested the animals were rapidly evolving in response to the overwhelming threat.

Researchers from the University of Tasmania have identified six disease-resistant devils in the same small population since 2009.

It’s a major breakthrough in global efforts to preserve the carrion-eating marsupials and the first indication the deadly facial tumour disease, which kills infected devils within 12 months and has wiped out 90% of the wild devil population since its discovery in 1996, is survivable."

Calla Wahlquist reports for the Guardian October 19, 2016.