During the past 10 years, a contagious and fatal cancer has decimated the world's Tasmanian devils. Pustulant tumors that become infested with maggots deform their faces, forcing teeth from their jaws. The devils eventually starve, but not before passing on the virulent cancer. Concerned that the disease could wipe out the devils, conservationists have already started planning how they might reintroduce the species if it goes extinct.

Resembling a small black dog with white splotches, these marsupial carnivores once lived in mainland Australia but today remain only on its island state of Tasmania. Devils have a ravenous appetite, an unearthly growl and a bone-crunching jaw strength that they use to devour carrion--skin, bones and all.

This article was originally published with the title Sympathy for the Devil.

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