Aussie Ark celebrates Record Breaking Tasmanian Devil Breeding Season 

Wildlife conservation charity Aussie Ark is celebrating today with the announcement of their best Tasmanian Devil breeding season ever at the Barrington Tops facility.

Pouch checks have revealed 69 Tasmanian Devil joeys born in 2019 - an incredible 44% increase from 2018.

The wild population of Tasmanian Devils has decreased by 90% since 1996, with the Australian animal facing extinction due to the contagious Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

Aussie Ark started in 2011 with the mission to save the Tasmanian devils from extinction with today’s milestone giving the team a big reason to celebrate.

Aussie Ark President Tim Faulkner commented: “The Aussie Ark team has been working hard all year to ensure the health and wellbeing of our devils, and we are over the moon with excitement at 69 joeys - our best ever breeding season. 

“These joeys have the weight of their species on them as insurance populations like ours mean, if Tasmanian devils in the wild do go extinct, we won’t lose these animals forever.” 

Aussie Ark has the largest devil population outside of Tasmania and the most successful breeding program on the mainland.  

Tasmanian Devil mums give birth to up to four young, which stay in the pouch for about four months. They remain with the mother for a further five to six months before becoming independent.

These joeys and their mums will be some of the animals released to Aussie Ark’s largest ever sanctuary in late 2019. The 400ha area is fully fenced to ensure it remains feral free and will be home to a number of Aussie Ark species.

Aussie Ark is a registered environmental organisation and charitable institution under the Australian Charity and Not-for-Profit Commission. Aussie Ark has deductible gift recipient status (DGR status) and is registered for GST purposes.

More information at www.aussieark.org.au

Images courtesy of Aussie Ark