Australia has ancient knowledge: For the first time, Tasmanian devils were born freely on the mainland. According to the Animal Welfare Organization, a total of seven young animals of the endangered species were born in the North Sydney Sanctuary.
Tasmanian devils are small carnivores with dark fur and powerful jaws. Thousands of years ago they lived on the Australian continent. But then, it is believed, Australian wild dogs multiplied and made life difficult for the Tasmanian Devil. The last animals of this species only survived in Tasmania, an island off the southern tip of Australia – where dingos are not found. And there, too, the Tasmanian Devil is not safe from danger: in the 1990s, an infectious disease spread among animals. Its population decreased from around 150,000 to only 25,000 animals.
About a year ago, animal rights activists brought 26 Tasmanian devils from the island to Barrington Tops Reserve, north of Sydney. Goal: Animals should build their stable groups.
Seven Baby Animals, a historic success for animal rights activists
Then only assistants could watch the animals and wait for them to settle down. But marsupials seem to be quite comfortable in an area of 400 hectares: a guard examined the bags of female devils and found seven children.
She said newborn animals are “in the best of health.” Aussie Ark Species Conservation OrganizationWho manages the reserve. Aussie Ark said the successful resettlement of the Tasmanian Devil is a “historic” success.
“In 100 years, we’ll look back at that day when environmental reform began for an entire country,” said Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark.
In the coming years, the organization plans to bring more Tasmanian devils to the mainland. Barrington Place Reserve is fenced so animals don’t disturb predators or road traffic. In addition, reservoir sacs, nasal sacs and rocky kangaroos are expected to return to the Australian continent.
