After becoming an internet sensation in October last year, the 11-month-old cheeky Tasmanian devil duo, Vegemite and Toast are set to be on display in the Tasmanian Devil exhibit at the Australian Reptile Park, where they’ll be able to truly embrace their natural behaviours and instincts.
Since being born March last year, the two have been raised by the Park’s mammal keepers.
It was no easy task with keeper Lauren Hunter needing to feed the pair every four hours, including a feed at 2am when they were first born.
As they’ve grown keeper Tyler Lowe took on the mammoth task of caring for them.
In 12 months’ time, both Tasmanian devil joeys will make their return to Aussie Ark and be released into a wild protected sanctuary – the largest of its kind for Tasmanian devils.
There they will be able to join the breeding program and become ambassadors for saving the iconic Aussie animal.
Aussie Ark’s population of Tasmanian devils are free from the devastating devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) that plagues wild populations.
“I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to hand-raise these joeys with Lauren,” Lowe said.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see that they’re thriving and by now being on display at the Australian Reptile Park, they can learn to hunt, explore and interact with their surroundings before being released into Aussie Ark’s sanctuary.
“It’s time to take action and protect this beautiful species.
“Even if only one person took the time to look into the conservation and protection of Tasmanian devils and what the Reptile Park and Aussie Ark are doing to save the species, we have done our job.”
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate on earth, with many of its species found nowhere else on the planet.
Source:
Australian Reptile Park