It's the return of the Tasmanian devils to Australia.

These marsupials, which disappeared 3,000 years ago in the country, were born in the wilderness on the immense island-continent as part of an ambitious program to protect the species, associations announced on Monday.

A coalition of environmental protection organizations has revealed that seven of these carnivorous mammals were born in a 400 hectare sanctuary in Barrington Tops, three and a half hours north of Sydney (South East).

A species threatened by a serious form of contagious cancer

It is in this fenced space, to protect them from various threats, such as disease or automobile traffic, that 26 adult devils had been reintroduced almost a year ago, during an operation then presented as "historic". .

This ex situ conservation program aims to create a preserved population, as the devil is threatened on the island of Tasmania by a serious form of contagious cancer.

“Once the devils were released into the wild, it was their turn, and it was nerve-racking,” said Aussie Ark chairman Tim Faulkner.

We had to observe from afar until we could enter and have confirmation of the birth of the first babies born in nature.

What moment !

"

Specialists were able to inspect the pouches of females and found that the young were "in perfect health".

Further reviews will take place in the coming weeks.

Seven #Tasmaniandevil joeys have been born in the wild at Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary in Barrington Tops - the first such births on the Australian mainland in 3000 years.

https://t.co/KRmv0JFzvf

- Rewilding Academy (@rewildacademy) May 25, 2021

Killed by dingoes 3,000 years ago in Australia

The Tasmanian devil, also called "Sarcophilus harrisii", is not dangerous to humans or livestock but defends itself if attacked, which can cause serious injury.

This nocturnal marsupial with black or brown fur, which gives off a strong odor when stressed, has been stricken since 1996 by a disease, the transmissible facial tumor of the Tasmanian devil (DFTD), almost 100% fatal and which has decimated 85% of its population.

The species is now in danger of extinction.

This contagious cancer - cancer normally is not, except in certain animal species - is transmitted through the bites that devils inflict on each other, very aggressive and with powerful jaws, when they mate or fight.

In particular, animals die of hunger when the tumor reaches their mouths, preventing them from eating.

It is estimated that 25,000 devils still live in nature, against 150,000 before the onset of this disease.

In mainland Australia, on the other hand, they probably disappeared 3,000 years ago, a priori decimated by dingoes.

"It's a good omen"

For Don Church, president of the association Re: wild, these births are “one of the most tangible signs” of the success of the reintroduction project.

“This bodes well, not only for this endangered species, but also for other species that we can save with Australia's rewilding programs,” he said.

Aussie Ark plans to bring more devils into the shrine, as well as dasyrus, wallabies, and bandicoots.

Perhaps before introducing these devils into unfenced areas to subject them to competition from more species.

This project is reminiscent of the emblematic one of the reintroduction of the wolf in the American park of Yellowstone in the 1990s, which, according to experts, had a cascade of positive effects: regeneration of bushes along rivers, stabilization of water courses. water, return of birds and beavers ...

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