Thursday, December 12, 2013

Getting up close and personal with devils - ABC Online


The Devil Ark breeding project in the Barrington Tops is throwing its doors open to the public this weekend.


It's the largest and most successful breeding progam for the animals, which are endangered due to an insidious and contagious cancer.


Libby Bain from Devil Ark told Jill Emberson from 1233 ABC Newcastle Mornings it's the first time the Devils in the Wild tours have been conducted.


And she says it's quite a unique experience.


"It's a really cutting-edge conservation project and the tour allows you to go inside the big, three-hectare enclosures," Libby says.


She explains that the devils are quite timid, so they're lured out with food.


"But eventually you could have five animals and you're in the bush right with them, crouching down, not far from where they're feeding and it's just the most amazing experience to watch," Libby says.


Tour participants will also get to hold the baby devils, known as joeys.


The Devil Ark breeding project has been a great success, partly because the Barrington Tops landscape mimics that of Tasmania.


"So they just felt right at home, they settled in really quickly and they breed season after season," Libby says.


It's hoped to release the devils bred there back into the wild in Tasmania.


"We're breeding them so that we can repopulate Tasmania once the disease has run its course," Libby explains.


"In a lot of parts of Tasmania the wild population is down to less than 10 percent."


Since 2011 when the first animals arrived at the Barrington Tops centre, they've been busy little devils.


"We've just reached the end of our third breeding season and we've had extraordinary results, far exceeding our expectations," Libby says.


Devil Ark is a registered charity and receives no government funding, but relies on donations.


The two-and-a-half-hour escorted Devils in the Wild tours start at 10am on Saturday, December 14, and will be held once a month till March.


You can find more information at devilark.com.au.



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