Tasmanian Devil Recovering After Daring 15-Day Disappearance
A two-year-old Tasmanian devil named Mary has been located after a 15-day absence from her enclosure. Search teams found the carnivorous marsupial less than two kilometers from her home at Paradise Country park on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Upon discovery, Mary was reported to be in an unstable condition. Park officials stated that the animal required immediate veterinary attention and was transported to a specialist veterinary hospital, where her condition has since been stabilized.
Extensive Search Efforts Yield Results
The shy, furry creature had been the subject of a widespread search involving a dozen wildlife experts. The operation utilized a sniffer dog and a thermal-imaging drone to locate the animal, which had made a widely publicized escape on June 2. CCTV footage partially documented the daring break-out.
Park management believes Mary’s escape was the result of an “abnormally large leap” from her enclosure, initiating her 15-day adventure.
Conservation Status and Devil Facts
Tasmanian devils are agile, predominantly nocturnal animals capable of covering up to 16 kilometers in a single night. These marsupials have been extinct on the Australian mainland for over 3,000 years. In the wild, they can live up to six years. Males typically weigh up to 14 kilograms and stand about 30 centimeters tall at the shoulder, according to environmental data from Tasmania.
While abundant on the island state of Tasmania, the species is listed as endangered. A significant threat to their survival is a transmissible cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
Mary is currently undergoing diagnostic testing at the veterinary hospital as she recovers.
