Tasmanians are being urged to have a say on whether an iconic threatened species should become the state’s animal emblem.

Tasmania is the only Australian state without an official faunal emblem.

The State Government opened up public discussion about whether the Tasmanian devil should receive the honour.

The threatened species has been ravaged by a facial tumour disease, and Environment Minister Matthew Groom said he believed official recognition could help attract resources to the fight against the disease.

Mr Groom anticipated community support for the proposal.

“I think a lot of Tasmanians already consider the devil to be our animal emblem, but we want to formalise that,” he said.

Public consultation is open for six weeks before the Government makes a decision.

A new devil enclosure opened at Coles Bay on Tasmania’s east coast and will be used to hold surplus devils from insurance populations.