Doubling the Ark

Filed in Recent News by July 26, 2016

ON Noah’s Ark the animals went on two by two and now at the Devil Ark in the Barrington Tops, they are working to double the size of their ark and save the Tasmanian devils from extinction.

WATCH video of the devil joeys below.

The devil facial tumour disease was only diagnosed 20 years ago, but already 90 percent of the devils in Tasmania are gone, the majority of the remaining wild population has the disease and a new strain of the disease has been identified.

The pressure is on to find a cure and step up conservations efforts.

The Devil Ark breeding program in the Barrington Tops is currently home to 180 devils and the aim is to have 360 animals by 2020.

Tim Faulker, general manager of the Devil Ark program said with no cure ramping up conservation efforts is the only hope for the species.

A joey Tasmanian Devil from the Devil Ark.

A joey Tasmanian Devil from the Devil Ark.

“Devil Ark is keeping our promise to save the species and have started plans to double Devil Ark’ population to 360 devils,” said Mr Faulkner.

“The devil is not in better shape not than in 2088 and the Tasmanian solution is seemingly about politics rather than the species’ recover,” he said.

“Science and research have failed to find a solution and sadly we risk losing the most researched animal in history.

“Bold new plans to double the Devil Ark, far from the diseased landscape of Tasmania are due to begin construction in early 2017.

“Our successful facility already holds 52% of the mainland insurance population and aims to repopulate Tasmania once the disease has run its course,”

“Doubling the Ark will guarantee Australia doesn’t see another iconic species become extinct, we have already lot the Tasmanian Tiger and if we don’t act now the Tasmanian Devil could be gone forever,” he said.

“Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate on earth and as the top order predator, the devil is critical in maintaining balance with the ecosystem,” Tim Faulkner said.

The Devil Ark aims to raise $1.5 million to expand the program.

Global Wildlife Conservation, an American based organisation has already contributed $250,000 and the Ark is encouraging Australian organisations, businesses and schools to help fund the project.

For more information visit the Devil Ark online: www.devilark.org.au.

Copyright 2024 © Wavelength Group Pty Ltd.    
Site map protected by patent. All rights reserved. Sitemap Terms and Conditions | Google Recaptcha Privacy | Terms