An extremely rare, mostly white Tasmanian devil, mistaken for a regular devil, was trapped by a private landowner in Tasmania. After a health check and assessment at East Coast Nature World, the unique devil was released back into a safe, undisclosed location.
After a health check, an extremely rare, mostly white Tasmanian devil mistakenly trapped by a private landowner has been released back into the wild in a secret location. The male Tasmanian devil, which has a black head and mottled white body, was initially transferred to East Coast Nature World in Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast for care and assessment. 'It's just incredibly unique, but there was nothing wrong with it,' East Coast Nature World Wildlife manager Nat Hill told us.
'I've never seen it before and a lot of people who have worked with Tasmanian devils have never come across this either. So very, very unique.' Ms Hill said she liaised with the Tasmanian devil researchers and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service regarding the unusual colouring, and they did not believe it was an albino. 'Some broader on the chest, some a little bit broader on the rump, but they are all unique in their different markings.' Tasmanian devils typically wean from their mothers at ages six to eight months. Ms Hill said the white and black devil weighed just a little bit more than 3 kilogram, had a good covering of fat, and had likely only recently weaned from its mum. 'It's just a little teenager because this time of the year is dispersal time for Tassie devils, so they are getting up to all sorts of mischief,' she said.She suspected it was looking for food or water when it was trapped. 'This is the time of the year that's most vulnerable for our little Tassie devils because they are leaving mum,' she said. 'And often they will come out onto the road looking for a free meal of roadkill, and, unfortunately, they do get hit by cars.' The healthy devil showed no signs of the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), which has decimated devil populations in the state. While trapping wildlife requires a permit, Ms Hill said the best way to handle a devil, if trapped accidentally, was to pick them up by the base of the tail. 'Just placing a little hand under the chest kind of supports their body weight as well. 'Usually, when you do tail them, then you do pop them in a hessian sack or trap or something along those lines, and then you would transport them that way.' The unique devil was released in a spot where it has access to water and food and away from residential areas. Ms Hill said the specific location would not be disclosed to keep the devil safe from illegal wildlife traders. 'That's why I didn't really want to reveal the location of where it was found from the landholder and also where it was released,' she said. 'Illegal wildlife trade, they see something like that on the internet, people could go out there and it could be sold on the black market
Tasmanian Devil Albino Wildlife Conservation DFTD Illegal Wildlife Trade
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Diseased Tasmanian Devil Filmed on Farm in NW TasmaniaA video captured a Tasmanian devil in a severely diseased state on a farm in northwest Tasmania. The animal exhibits emaciation, fur loss, and a facial growth consistent with Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Experts say the video highlights the plight of the species, urging the public to support efforts to find a cure.
Read more »
Call for Mandatory WWVP Cards for Tasmanian Elected Officials RenewedFollowing allegations of inappropriate behavior against Launceston councillor Danny Gibson, there is a renewed push for mandatory Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) cards for Tasmanian elected officials. Gibson has denied the allegations, stating that they are 'untested and slanderous' and the result of a coordinated campaign against him.
Read more »
Finnish Engines Used in Tasmanian Ferries' 'Local Content'The Tasmanian government's commitment to 'local content' in the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries has been questioned after it was revealed that Finnish-built engines are part of the project.
Read more »
Tasmanian Whisky Makers Push Boundaries for Unique FlavorsThis article explores how Tasmanian whisky makers are innovating to create distinctive flavors in a competitive market. From using sea salt and motion for aging to experimenting with sheep dung for smoking, these producers are going the extra mile to stand out.
Read more »
Tasmanian AFL Stadium Delay 'Obvious', Says Former PremierFormer Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein acknowledges the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart will likely miss its 2029 completion target due to ongoing delays. He suggests the AFL consider extending the timeframe and utilizing the period for the state's north to host more matches.
Read more »
Tasmanian Boobooks Fly Straight Through Proposed Wind Farm ZonesA study tracking the migration of Tasmanian boobooks has revealed they fly directly through areas earmarked for large-scale wind farms, raising concerns about potential collision risks and highlighting the need for further research into the impact of renewable energy infrastructure on migratory birds.
Read more »