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Tasmanian Devil
A Deadly Tale of Survival
By David Owen and David Pemberton
Published by Allen & Unwin
ISBN 9781761470400
When I first picked up this book I was under the impression that the Tasmanian Devil was extinct. Perhaps you thought so, too? Until I read this book, I didn’t know anything about this elusive, rare and very special animal.
Owen and Pemberton have studied this nocturnal marsupial over decades. They have written a highly detailed and enthralling life story that goes deep into the history, pre-history, habits, lifestyle, life-cycle and resilience of this, the world's largest living marsupial carnivore, the size of a large cat, with the strongest bone crushing jaw of any animal.
Although it appears the Devil was a resident of mainland Australia, because there has been remains found as evidence in Western Australia and along the Eastern seaboard, it seems that this animal became extinct on the mainland over 3000 years ago and only now exists in Tasmania, hence the name.
Oh yes! The name.
The story goes that when the convicts arrived in Tasmania in 1803, they heard the 'Devils' communicating with each other in the night and they were convinced that the noise was of the 'devil himself'... and the name stuck.
The authors include many extremely interesting excerpts from newspapers, magazines, and scientific papers, which gives a slightly biased view of the animal and how people do not understand this animal at all. There is a distinct theme running through these excerpts which suggests that it is a savage and beastly killer and should be destroyed on sight.
As the reader discovers this is far from the truth as Owen and Pemberton explain in the book. They unfold the true characters and personalities within the Devil communities, both in Tasmania and in many zoos throughout the world.
Interestingly, there is a whole side story which runs through several chapters, which investigates the connection between the Devil and Hollywood which makes most interesting reading, even as a separate story within itself. This part of the history of the animal has, however, made it more endearing to the human population of the Australia and, especially, Tasmanians.
This informative and interesting story concludes with a detailed description of the devastating disease, which is originally mentioned early in the book. It has ravaged through the Devil population since 1996 and thanks to human intervention that has allowed the recovery process to take place, preserving the Devil communities for the foreseeable future.
I was so taken with the book and the Devils, that I felt I would love one as a pet, knowing of course that this is totally out of the question.
I recommend this book as a must read to all animal lovers and anyone who is interested in history, nature, science and an animal that continues to defy extinction.
The authors
David Owen is the author of 19 fiction and nonfiction titles, including Tasmanian Tiger and Shark: In peril in the sea. He is the Official Secretary of the Governor of Tasmania.
David Pemberton is a wildlife biologist and former manager of the Tasmanian Government's Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. He is co-editor of Saving the Tasmanian Devil, and co-author of Tasmanian Tiger with David Owen.
Reviewed by Ken
This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you
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