A study published in the international journal, Science, indicated the pandemic in the devils was shifting from an emerging disease to an endemic one - meaning the disease spread was slowing to the point that each infected devil is infecting only one additional animal or less.

Since it was first identified in 1996, the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease has reduced populations by 80 per cent.

Professor Menna Jones, from the University of Tasmania, who was instrumental in discovering the impacts the disease was having on devil populations and established an international research program in 2004 is heartened by the research.

"In the early years of the epidemic we were very concerned for the future of the devil, however in the last few years our research has hinted that the devil is evolving resistance to the disease," Professor Jones said.

"We now have strong evidence that the epidemic phase is coming to an end, and that DFTD is becoming an endemic disease. That means the devil will live with it as part of its normal life without this disease spelling the end."

For the first time, a research team led by Washington State University biologist Professor Andrew Storfer employed genomic tools of phylodynamics, typically used to track viruses, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2, to trace the devil tumour disease.

Professor Storfer said the approach had opened the door for application to other genetically complex pathogens.

"It is cautiously optimistic good news," Professor Storfer said.

"I think we're going to see continued survival of devils, initially at lower numbers and densities than original population sizes, but extinction seems really unlikely even though it was predicted a decade ago."

The disease is still largely fatal to Tasmanian devils who contract it, but it appears to be reaching an equilibrium.

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The study found that the R number (the number of secondary cases per primary case) has reduced from about 3.5 at the peak of the epidemic to around one, suggesting that the disease has reached a steady state.

The study's authors say the new evidence means the practice of releasing captive-bred devils into the wild should be reconsidered.

"Active management may not be necessary and could actually be harmful," Professor Storfer said.

Professor Jones says the study findings were promising for the devil and also for the Tasmanian ecosystem.

"The decline and low populations of devils have led to a rise in populations of invasive predators like feral cats and black rats, which prey on native animals and are causing populations of bandicoots and small mammals like Antechinus and native rats to disappear at an alarming rate," Professor Jones said.

"Recovery of the devil will reverse these trends and once again make Tasmania an island ark for mammal conservation in Australia."