Tasmanian devils on mainland would reduce feral cats and foxes, study finds

Ecologists from University of NSW say reintroducing devils to Australian mainland after 3,000-year absence would be huge boon for native wildlife

Reintroducing Tasmanian devils to the Australian mainland after a 3,000-year absence would drastically improve the fortunes of native wildlife by curbing the spread of feral cats and foxes, research has found.

Ecologists from the University of New South Wales assessed the likely impact of reintroducing Tasmanian devils to forests in south-eastern NSW and found they would assume the mantle of top predator, deterring cats and foxes.