Barrington Devils Fight Golden Staph

IN the fight to save the Tasmanian Devils, the Devils given us a new weapon in the fight against superbugs such as golden staph in humans.

Researchers from the University of Sydney found peptides in the milk of Tasmanian Devils which can kill some of the most deadly drug resistant bacterial and fungal infections in humans.

Tim Faulkner, general manager of the Devil Ark in the Barrington Tops said the conservation team responsible for milking the female devils for the study said they were glad to be able to help the in the health research of both the devils and humans.

See footage of the devils being milked below.

“It’s truly rewarding to be a part of the process for this research, but also very exciting as conservationists that the animal we’re trying to save from extinction could save human lives,” said Mr Faulkner.

“The most common question I’m asked as a result of these findings is how did you milk a Tasmanian devil?

“The process was as simple as a routine health inspection we carry out at Devil Ark for all lactating mums,” he said.

“Milking a Tasmanian devil is quick and stress free.

“Towards the end of lactation, when the young are suckling periodically, we gently massage the female devils mammary glands then with a long stroke of the teat the milk flows freely and is captured.

“It’s very similar to how a cow is milked but on a much smaller scale,” he said.

“I can even say I have tried Tasmanian devil milk and its warm and much thicker than cow’s milk,” said Tim Faulkner.

The milk of Tasmanian devils contains six varieties of peptides known as cathelicidins, whereas all other animals only have one.