Rockhampton-based Noel Sawtell has recently returned from Tasmania, where he spent 10 days as a volunteer helping to collect data and samples, supporting research into Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

This disease starts with tumours around the mouth and head, which quickly develop into large tumours. Animals with the disease usually die within 3 to 8 months of the lesions first appearing.

Noel Sawtell (left) in the field

The disease has been confirmed at 60 separate sites, covering 56 per cent of the state and up to 83 per cent of adults in a population have been recorded displaying the disease.

Mr Sawtell, a technical officer with the Department of Molecular and Life Sciences at CQU,  travelled to Tasmania to assist the Department of Primary Industry and Water field officers.

An adult devil with the disease

He spent 10 days trapping and releasing devils for ongoing research into the fatal disease.

The CQU staff member found out about this volunteer research through an Australian Animal Technicians Association conference in Canberra, which he attended as a member of the CQU Animal Ethics Committee.