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As part of the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’ program conservation organisation, Aussie Ark, has conducted a ‘Devil swap’ in which five genetically valuable Devils left the Ark for wildlife parks in Tasmania, while five Devils with wild DNA flew in from Tasmania to begin life in the Barrington Tops.

Operations Manager Dean Reid directed the complex exchange, which occurred in the middle of the night. The five incoming Devils touched down at Sydney airport in their individual crates and were transferred to the Ark via a specialist animal transport truck.

Upon their arrival, Aussie Ark staff caught the Devils leaving the Ark and placed them into boxes. The incoming Devils were then released into the newly empty enclosures, creating the perfect swap.

Reid advised “the four females and one male leaving us tonight were handpicked for their excellent genetics by the studbook holder. They are all two to three years old, so prime breeding age. They will be augmented into breeding programs in Tasmania.”

Fourteen days prior to departing Australia, the five Aussie Ark Devils were given a rigorous health check (under sedation) by head vet Dr Robin Crisman from the Somersby Animal Hospital. This included bloods tests to check liver and kidney function, pouch and weight and teeth checks, and preventatives to ensure they are parasite-free. The Devils were also inspected for Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), which is absent from the Aussie Ark insurance population but routinely checked.

Reid was proud to announce all five Devils in prime health, and able to progress through to quarantining and entry into Tasmania. The rigour in both Tasmania and on the mainland for Devil swaps such as these is vital; sadly DFTD continues to run rampant through Tasmania where it has killed off 90% of the wild population.

The incoming Devils to the Ark are of course DFTD-free and have wild DNA which is an essential ingredient to help bolster the Ark’s genetic pool. Having ‘fresh blood’ means a more robust insurance population into the future, helping save this iconic species from extinction.

Aussie Ark has the largest breeding and rewilding Tasmanian Devil program on mainland Australia, with its 400-hectare Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary a true disease-free predator-free oasis for this iconic animal.

If you’d like to help Aussie Ark continue this vital work safeguarding the Tasmanian Devil please donate now at aussieark.org.au  

Images. Credit: Aussie Ark

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