“Right next to a warning sign”: Devil deaths spark calls to slow down

*DISTRESSING IMAGES* A conservationist has been left devastated after the deaths of two Tasmanian devil in the state’s north west, prompting calls to slow down.

Tasmanian motorists are being urged to slow down on roads after two Tasmanian devils were hit and killed by a car in the state’s north west.

The two female devils were found by rangers at Arthur River on Monday morning.

Tasmanian Land Conservancy conservation ecologist David Hamilton said the devils had been feeding on a wombat carcass.

“They were literally right next to a warning sign that said drive slow for devils,” Mr Hamilton said.

“These animals were on a straight stretch of road feeding on a carcass, it wasn’t like someone had come around a corner.

“It’s always particularly sad to see those individuals go because of something avoidable.”

Mr Hamilton said the devil population had been monitored for years, and the population in the area was strong.

Two Tasmanian devils were killed after being hit by a car in the state's north west at Arthur River. Pic: Supplied.

Two Tasmanian devils were killed after being hit by a car in the state's north west at Arthur River. Pic: Supplied.

He said researchers were familiar with the two that were killed.

“There are sites across Tasmania we’re looking at facial tumour disease, we’d seen them for quite a few years as part of that study.”

“I’d been up there monitoring many times, I’d seen them a number of times looking very healthy.

“To see them taken out of the population was very sad.”

Mr Hamilton said there will likely be more victims from the tragedy, with the possibility of baby devils now unable to survive without their mothers.

“It can be particularly bad seeing adult females hit at this time of year, they’re still in the process of raising young,” he said.

“They’re still lactating and looking after young devils dependent on their mothers in a den.”

“It’s potentially not just those two devils but as many as ten.”

The conservationist urged motorists to slow down and keep an eye out for devils.

“Devils are particularly prone to this because animals are hit and the devils are drawn out to feed on the animals that have been hit,” Mr Hamilton said.

Devil researcher David Hamilton is urging motorists to slow down after two devils were killed in the north west. Picture Eddie Safarik

“If people do hit wildlife on the roads, it’s important to pull over and take the animal off the road whenever safe.

“Then you stop devils being drawn onto the road to eat the carcass and you can also check the animal’s pouch.”

He said the species were more vulnerable going into December and January, with more young ones emerging.

“There will be more devils wondering around, they’re going off and starting fend for themselves,” Mr Hamilton said.

“They’ve never seen a car or road before, they’re quite naive at this point.

“They’re move active and unfamiliar so they’re particularly vulnerable.”