Geneticists are working on identifying an ''explorer gene'' in captive Tasmanian devils as experts consider ways to reduce roadkill when the animals are released into the wild.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil program's release of 20 devils vaccinated against the fatal facial tumour disease was marred after four became roadkill within a week.

Save the Tasmanian Devil program manager David Pemberton said they were considering various options to improve the survival rate of future releases.

One option could to be to only release animals that are genetically disinclined to roam too far.

Mr Pemberton has sought the help of geneticists to try and find such a "explorer gene".

"They are actually going to take on the challenge of looking at the genes and trying to find out if they correlate with the animals that want to explore," he said.

"It's a long shot but we'll try anything."

Mr Pemberton was undeterred by the number of newly released animals that had been killed.

"The literature certainly tells us that a survival rate towards 40 per cent for translocation mammals is a good result," he said.

"Let's see if we can get there and then we'll adapt our methods."

Wildlife biologist Nick Mooney agreed the four deaths, which occurred in the Narawntapu National Park in northern Tasmania, were not cause for alarm.

"It's disappointing but not unexpected," he said.

"These devils have been in captivity all their lives, essentially, and they're used to infrastructure - things like cars and roads wouldn't necessarily frighten them at all."

The wilder the devils, the better

The program is also considering using temporary cages which would help the devils get used to their new environment, a move supported by Mr Mooney.

"You want animals that aren't confused, and perhaps holding them in the park in big temporary pens would be an advantage," he said.

Mr Mooney also suggested being more selective next time, releasing only the most wild animals since they would be more likely to steer clear of humans.

"Making some harder decision about how wild the devils they choose to release are, so perhaps with the next release, they might release a few less," he said.

Mr Pemberton said that was already happening.

"We have upped the ante on how we choose the animals," he said.

Next month, about 40 devils will help repopulate the Forestier Peninsula in southern Tasmania and there will be more to boost the northern population mid-next year.