Aussie Ark Announce First Tasmanian Devil Joeys for 2023

Aussie Ark have announced the first Tasmanian Devil joeys to be discovered during the 2023 breeding season. The mother of these latest arrivals is famous devil, ‘Adventurous Lisa’ who was released into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary by A-list actors Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky. Lisa’s joeys were discovered during a routine health check.

Lisa was part of a release of eleven devils in to the 400 hectare sanctuary during October 2020. Chris Hemsworth participated in the release with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky, and their three children. And it was Mr Hemsworth who personally released Lisa.

The release of the devils marked the first occasion Tasmanian devils had been released on the Australian mainland in 3000 years. The devils for this release were bred as part of the conservation project at Aussie Ark which are free from the devastating devil facial tumour disease which has decimated the wild population in Tasmania.

Aussie Ark Managing Director Tim Faulkner was entrusted with this ‘insurance population’ of Tasmanian devils to help save the species from imminent extinction and oversaw the historic release in October 2020 into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary.

“This is hugely significant,” Mr Faulkner said. “It’s the very first confirmed Devil joeys of 2023, and proof yet again that our breeding and rewilding program is a huge success.” 

Just hours after the discovery Mr Faulkner shared the news with partners Re:wild and WildArk. Co-founder of WildArk Mark Hutchison attended the original release in October 2020. Mr Hutchison is also delighted by Lisa’s new progeny and all it represents. 

“This is a real success story for Devils, and it’s heart-warming to see that all the hard work that has gone into this project has been rewarded with the birth of these joeys,” Mr Hutchison said.

The Aussie Ark sanctuary is a 400 hectare fenced haven where invasive predators have been removed. This allows the devils to take up their role as apex predator and restore the natural balance of the Australian ecosystem.