Aussie Ark spotlights ranger Adam Mowbray on World Wildlife Ranger Day

World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet's natural treasures and cultural heritage while also commemorating  Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty.

To mark the day, Aussie Ark has highlighted the contribution and responsibility of wildlife ranger Adam Mowbray in hand-raising the first Devil joeys of 2024.

It’s a dream come true for Mowbray, who has worked for Aussie Ark for two years. This is the first time he has hand-raised Tasmanian Devils, and it’s a huge responsibility.   

The species is extinct on mainland Australia and is still being decimated in Tasmania – the only place it’s now found in the wild – by the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease. With the species facing extinction, Aussie Ark’s famous breeding and rewilding program is significant on a global scale…and every joey is precious.   

The brother-sister Devils came into care after Aussie Ark staff discovered the mother had cannibalised two of her four joeys. Although hard for humans to comprehend, this behaviour is a survival strategy of wild Devils and quite common.   

But in a managed conservation breeding program, safeguarding each and every individual is vital. So Aussie Ark staff made the call to intervene and remove the surviving siblings. 

These exquisite joeys are just four months old and weigh around 330 grams. They are fragile, vulnerable and require round-the-clock parenting care.   

“Being their ‘Mum’ is a big commitment!” Mowbray shared. “They need to be fed every five hours, day and night. They’re only drinking milk. In a month or two I’ll transition them to meat. So stay tuned! We’ll record my journey with them until they are finally weaned and independent and begin their lives at the Ark.” 

The pair needs names!

Aussie Ark invites the public to watch the video, make a donation and register their suggested names.