The tasman devil (sarcophilus) is the largest surviving predatory marsupial. this species is now restricted to tasmania, and has been decimated by fierce hunt and competition from introduced placenta mammals. protection programs secure that this species now has space (habitat) and protection from hunting. yet, after an initial slight recovery, they now decline rapidly.

what has happened?
a. this exotic mammal depends on a similarly exotic prey that already died out (oblicate interaction).
b. the species is a poor competer and its decline is not the result of competitive exclusion.
c. this animal is r-selected and drammatic cycles are natural.
d. climate change affects this organism by the shift of its biome.
e. the population sunk below the putative mvp.