The spotted quoll, the long-snouted kangaroo and the Tasmanian devil have one thing in common: they are threatened with extinction. An Australian animal protection organization is countering this with a breeding program – apparently with success.
Breeding successes with rare animal species in Australia: As part of the breeding program of the animal protection organization Aussie Ark, numerous young animals were born at the beginning of the Australian summer – including Tasmanian devils, spotted quolls, long-snouted kangaroos and red kangaroos. “The Tasmanian devil and spotted quoll are extinct on mainland Australia, so it’s very special to see their young scurrying around here,” Aussie Ark shared. The organization did not record how many animals were born.
Five Tasmanian devils released into the wild
Many of the animals cared for by animal rights activists give birth to their young in the winter months. Aussie Ark wants to use its breeding program to help save endangered endemic species. Until a few years ago, Tasmanian devils only existed on the island of Tasmania, from which they owe their name. However, their existence there was threatened because of a type of cancer.
Two days ago, five animals were released into the wild in a protected area in Barrington Tops National Park, about 270 kilometers north of Sydney.
The Tasmanian Tasmanian devil “Violet” gets a health check.
In 2020, the organization released 28 of the black predators who showed no signs of illness into a reserve north of Sydney. Around 3,000 years after the Tasmanian devils died out on the mainland, cubs were born in freedom there for the first time since then. It was said that the 500th animal bred by Aussie Ark was born there in August.
Kangaroo is considered an “animal fire department”
This year, the organization said it was also able to release 20 long-snouted kangaroos into a protected area in New South Wales. The animal is on the IUCN Red List and is considered endangered. It is one of the smallest and oldest members of the kangaroo family.
Experts also call it the “animal fire department”. According to the organization, the animals weighing between half and one and a half kilograms primarily eat mushrooms and truffles that grow underground. When digging with their front paws, they kick up large amounts of leaves on the forest floor and dig up the soil. This keeps the soil moist and reduces the impact of bushfires, said Aussie Ark.