This risk analysis examines the risks associated with importing the marsupial Tasmanian devils into New Zealand Zoos. Imported Tasmanian devils will be confined to containment facilities. Therefore, the Tasmanian devils would not have contact with New Zealand domestic, wild or feral animals other than birds, and possibly vermin such as rats and mice that may have access to animal enclosures. The only direct contact with people would be with the staff that are involved with their care.
Few infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, protozoal or fungal) of Tasmanian devils were identified. Other than Salmonellae, the infectious diseases identified were assessed to not be hazards in the commodity. Several internal parasites were identified in Tasmanian devils. However, since these are predominantly species-specific and the likelihood that they could be transferred from animals in containment facilities is assessed to be negligible, they were not considered to be hazards in the commodity. External parasites were assessed to be potential hazards and options for effectively managing the risk of introduction of external parasites by Tasmanian devils are suggested.
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii/ Sarcophilus laniarius) from Australia - Final import risk analysis (November 2009)
Type
Risk analysis
Subjects
Live Animals, Zoo Animals, Importing, Australia, Overview
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