Disease-free Tasmanian devils from Barrington Tops Aussie Ark sent to overseas zoos to inspire preservation efforts

Tasmanian devils free of devastating facial tumours which threaten to wipe out the species are set to thrill zoo patrons worldwide as part of conservation efforts.

Tasmanian devils bred free of devastating facial tumours which threaten to wipe out the entire species are poised to become global celebrities.

The 11 Tassie devils were all bred at the Aussie Ark, established in the rugged Barrington mountain range west of Gloucester in 2011 to try to save the species from extinction.

More than 10 years on, the insurance population being bred at the ark is thriving, with joey numbers up on last year.

A sedated Tasmanian devil is checked by Dr Robin Crisman and Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid. Picture: Aussie Ark

Now, nine male and two female devils are set to embark on an incredible international journey.

The world-first will see the Tassie devils transferred to four international zoos at Prague, Los Angeles, San Diego and Singapore.

Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid has worked closely with Somersby Animal Hospital head veterinarian Dr Robin Crisman to undertake pre-transfer health checks.

“We did this under a light sedation,” Dr Crisman said.

Dental health check on a sedated Tasmanian devil before it heads overseas. Picture: Aussie Ark.

“We checked out their body condition score, their teeth, made sure there were no external parasites and when they’re nice and sleepy we extracted blood to make sure there are no abnormalities in the red and white blood cells and that organ function is OK.”

Mr Reid also weighed each animal, applied preventive treatments and – even though Aussie Ark and mainland Australia have no record of the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease – checked for symptoms anyway.

The devils were then flown to Tasmania for quarantining, further vet checks and allocation to zoos as recommended by the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association.

A sedated Tasmanian devil gets a full health check before travelling overseas. Picture: Aussie Ark

The disease continues to threatens to wipe out Tasmania’s wild Tassie devil population, but the Ark’s population is not impacted.

Mr Reid said was looking forward to visiting at least one of the Tassie devils overseas.

“I can’t believe that in a couple of years when I go to Prague Zoo, I’ll see one of our devils there,” he said.

The Aussie “ambassadors” are set to be used to educate zoo visitors about their species and inspire preservation efforts.

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Originally published as Disease-free Tasmanian devils from Barrington Tops Aussie Ark sent to overseas zoos to inspire preservation efforts