 Studies have shown there has been a decline in the population of the Tasmanian devil in the area, with this decrease in numbers being associated with the devil facial tumour.This infectious disease, caused by a transmissible cancer  has become a serious threat to populations of devils throughout Tasmania and has seen a change to the age structure within the population at Freycinet National Park.A decrease in breeding age adults has placed pressure on the persistence of the species  with most females now only having the opportunity to breed once rather than typically producing offspring annually for 3 years after the age of two.