The birth of nine new Tasmanian demons in the New South Wales region has sparked excitement among conservation groups, who have been working hard to build the endangered species population in mainland Australia.
Key points:
- Tasmanian devils have given birth to nine joeys in a semi-wilderness protected area in NSW
- Conservation groups are building population numbers in mainland Australia
- Only 25,000 Tasmanian devils remain in the wild
In 2020, Aussie Ark first launched 28 Tasmanian devils in a “wildlife sanctuary” at Barrington Tops, north of Sydney.
The DevilComeback breeding program is now marking its second year of success, with researchers delighted to have found more joeys than initially expected.
“We’re very happy with the new one. Based on the females being bred, we’re anticipating there will be a total of 19 joeys,” said Aussie Ark supervisor Tyler Gralton.
The Aussie Ark team will continue bag checks over the coming weeks and expects to confirm more than 19 joeys in total. (Supplied by: Aussie Ark)
If this prediction is correct, the second year of the program would be even more successful than the first.
Aussie Ark said these numbers were critical in determining the long-term success of the program, which is also run by conservation organizations WildArk and Re: Wild.
“We’re already moving forward. But every nature-born Tasmanian devil Joey in the wild is a hit for the Aussie Ark, a hit for the show and a hit for the species,” Gralton said.
Aussie Ark supervisor Tyler Gralton says his team is delighted with the discovery of nine joeys. (Supplied by: Aussie Ark)
‘Insurance population’
Tasmanian devils have not lived in nature in mainland Australia for over 3,000 years, largely due to the introduction of dingoes.
Now, the spread of a highly contagious and deadly form of cancer, Devil’s Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), has decimated up to 90 percent of the wild population in Tasmania.
Only 25,000 savage devils are believed to remain.
The arrival of these little carnivores is an important moment for the DevilComeback campaign (Supplied by: Aussie Ark)
Aussie Ark aims to build a population of devils on the continent, away from DFTD, to help conserve endangered species.
“Unfortunately, Tasmanian devils are affected by this devil’s facial tumor disease, but the only way it is transmitted is through contact,” Gralton said.
“Having this insurance population in mainland Australia, at a distance from its diseased counterpart, means that this species can not only survive but thrive.”
“Once we can solve the problem that affects this specific species, we can start reintroducing them to nature.”
The successful breeding of wild Tasmanian devils was confirmed last year for the first time in 3,000 years. (Supplied by: Aussie Ark)
Conservation goals continue
Aussie Ark has been working on the Tasmanian Devil Conservation since 2011.
Since then, the Barrington Tops-based organization has established six more programs for endangered native species, such as the eastern quail, the southern brown bandicoot, and the long-nosed potoroo.
“Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, so our overall goal is to conserve species and return them to their wild habitat in a healthy way to balance these long-standing ecosystems.”