U.S & New Zealand zoos to receive Tasmanian devils

I think it's because the devils are not there for breeding. It has been stated that these are either old or over represented devils from the breeding program, so I don't think there is really a need to even up the ratio.
 
mstickmanp said:
I think it's because the devils are not there for breeding. It has been stated that these are either old or over represented devils from the breeding program, so I don't think there is really a need to even up the ratio.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I didn't see that.
 
It hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet (too many devil threads on the go at one time!) but the Wellington Zoo devils are already at the zoo. Auckland and Orana devils arriving next year.
 
Little Devils everywhere... I saw these wild in Tasmania on my first trip - at 2.a.m. when they came scavenging near our camp. And also saw them in captivity at several 'Tasmanian Devil parks' also. I wonder if many of those places still keep them, given the problems surrounding this species nowadays?
 
mstickmanp said:
I think it's because the devils are not there for breeding. It has been stated that these are either old or over represented devils from the breeding program, so I don't think there is really a need to even up the ratio.
Click to expand...

Understandable as overseas zoos aren't likely to add anything to the current breeding program, but it will mean requiring a fresh export in less then 5 years, as devils don't live particularly long.
 
I would say .... Tassie devils .... need as many zoological facilities able and willing to breed as is physically possible, thus having overseas zoos involved would considerably augment the conservation breeding program and gene pool for eventual re-releases on Tasmania.

This is aside for the biology of the species that really requires very young animals for export for breeding ...
 
as noted by zooboy28 in http://www.zoochat.com/17/auckland-zoo-news-2014-a-351354/index2.html, the devils have now arrived at Auckland Zoo!!

Auckland Zoo - The devils are coming...
Four Tasmanian devils are making their way to Auckland Zoo this week, just in time for April School Holidays.

One female and three male Tasmanian devils are moving to Auckland Zoo from Australia's Healesville Zoo to be part of an insurance population for the endangered species.

Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken says that Auckland Zoo is excited to be a part of this important conservation programme to help save the iconic Tasmanian devil.

"People may be surprised to learn that the Tasmanian devil is a delightfully curious and engaging creature - a very different animal from the one portrayed in the famous cartoon. We're looking forward to visitors being delighted by the new exhibit; it really is a fantastic environment for the devils to live and for visitors to learn," says Mr Wilcken.

Once widespread throughout Australia, devils are now only found in Tasmania and are threatened with extinction due to the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease - a devastating disease that emerged in 1996 and still has no cure.

In response to the emergence of this disease and the alarming decline in Tasmanian devils, the Australian and Tasmanian governments teamed up and created the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. The programme includes a global zoo-based initiative lead by the Zoo and Aquarium Association, which manages a disease-free population of devils for future release in to the wild, should the wild population further deteriorate.
Click to expand...


Still nothing from Orana (although I did come across someone on Facebook in January asking "When is the Tasmanian devil's coming" and the answer from Orana was "That's Wellington Zoo and I believe they have arrived") :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top