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Conservation organisation, Aussie Ark, is celebrating World Environment Day with the exciting news that 10 healthy Tasmanian Devil joeys have been discovered during the organisation’s first pouch check of the year, with more expected in the weeks ahead.

The arrival of the joeys is particularly meaningful this year, following devastating floods that swept through the Ark’s Barrington Tops Wildlife Sanctuary just weeks ago. The excellent health of both Devil mums and their young is a powerful testament to Aussie Ark’s resilience and unwavering commitment to animal care, even under extreme adversity.

Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid noted “this is a really important time of year for us to be checking the female Devils and their joeys to ensure they’re in prime health.We’re proud to be the largest breeding facility for Tasmanian Devils on mainland Australia - and even more proud to welcome our latest little bubbas!”

Aussie Ark’s Tasmanian Devil breeding program is a cornerstone of the organisation’s conservation work. The species, once widespread across mainland Australia, is now endangered, and the Ark has played a leading role in protecting it from extinction.

The pouch checks were conducted in two dedicated breeding yards within the Species Recovery Unit by Mr Reid, assisted by Senior Conservation Ranger Nero Rochet and Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman. Each yard houses four females and four males, with trapping carried out late at night and checked at first light to minimise stress.

Of the seven females captured during this round, four had joeys, ranging in size from a finger lime (indicating pregnancy during the first oestrus cycle) to the size of a date (suggesting a second cycle conception). The three females with empty pouches are now entering their third oestrus and may still become pregnant this season.

Aussie Ark welcomes the next generation of Devils each year with pride - every joey is precious, and each new arrival brings the species one step closer to recovery in the wild.

If you’d like to help Aussie Ark continue its vital work breeding and rewilding the Tasmanian Devil please donate now at aussieark.org.au 

Image top. Devil joey check 2025 Dean Reid + Nero Rochet + Laura Chapman; Devil joeys first oestrus; Tasmanian Devil adult. Credit Aussie Ark.

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