Found this article which shows what can happen if you introduce a new species to an area where it was not previously found. Whilst our Devils need help, it should not be to the detriment of other species.
The Tasmanian Devil population placed on Maria Island on Tasmania's East Coast is apparently thriving, but it appears work needs to be done to protect native bird populations.
Its a fine line between pleasure and pain. So sang the Divinyls.
Don't Native Hens coexist with devils on the Tas mainland?
edit: okay apparently the Native Hens are also introduced to Maria Is, which makes quite a lot of sense when you think about it.
I would have thought there was sufficient environmental awareness these days, particularly within an government environmental department, about the risks of introducing animals to habitats where they haven't previously existed. Apparently not. Or were political factors at play here?
The Adelaide Hills in SA are facing a similar predicament where Koalas were introduced some years ago. So common are they now that they're often victims of vehicle strikes on the South Eastern Freeway. Everyone is ooing & ahing about them but there's a real danger that eventually they'll decimate a significant part of the native vegetation as they did on Kangaroo Island where they were introduced. Then what happens to the indigenous wildlife? Nobody seems willing to face up to this potential long term problem. Rather like climate change. Is it something in human genes?
Could well be, Woko. According to Tim Low koalas have similar head-body proportions to a human infant so we are genetically predisposed to feel something for them.
also saw this in the article:
'...Karin Ludwig is a former specialist on the giant macaws from New Zealand.'