Twin Tasmanian Devils Born at Australian Reptile Park

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 19, 2021 1:00 am

Tasmanian Devil Joeys Australian Reptile Park

The pair of Tasmanian devil joeys are held by a keeper at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: Australian Reptile Park

Keepers at the Australian Reptile Park have their hands full as they care for two Tasmanian Devil joeys born at conservation center, Aussie Ark.

Australian Reptile Park keeper Hewin Hockins is caring for the two joeys but at present they do not have names.

The park are looking for help to name the joeys. If you adopt a Tasmanian devil at Aussie Ark until September 20th 2021 you will go in the running to name the joeys and get the chance to meet them at the Australian Reptile Park.

The pair of Tasmanian devil joeys are held by a keeper at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: Australian Reptile Park

The twin brother Tasmanian devils were born as part of the conservation project at Aussie Ark looking to secure a future for this endangered species.

Hand raising joeys is no easy task as Hewin explained, “I’m lacking a little sleep at the moment, feeding these guys every few hours is hard work, but I wouldn’t change a thing!”

Each day the joeys need four to five bottle feedings including one at 4am. They will require care for eight months until they are able to rejoin their family at Aussie Ark. During their time at the Australian Reptile Park they will act as ambassadors for their species.

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“Tasmanian devils are one of the most iconic native species Australia has, they’re feisty, rambunctious and play a critical role in Australian ecosystems” Aussie Ark President and Australian Reptile Park Director Tim Faulkner said.

Mr Faulkner continued, “90% of the wild Tasmanian devil population has disappeared due to devil facial tumour disease. The Aussie Ark breeding program is creating a long-term future for this species, these youngsters are now a big part of that!”

Aussie Ark is the largest sanctuary of its kind for the Tasmanian Devil. They work to protect an insurance population of Tasmanian devils which are being affected by the Devil Facial Tumor Disease. You can learn more about this threat in our fact file below.