Tasmanian devils make their long-awaited return to the Australian mainland after 3,000 years

A group of eleven Tasmanian devils has been reintroduced to the Australian mainland, over 3,000 years after they disappeared from the region.

The carnivorous marsupials were released into a 400-hectare wildlife sanctuary located to the north of Sydney, New South Wales, according to a statement from the Australian NGO Aussie Ark.

“In a century’s time, we will reflect on today as the moment that sparked the ecological revival of this entire country,” said Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark.

“This is not just the return of one of Australia’s iconic species, but the return of an animal that will transform its environment, helping to restore and balance the forest ecosystem after centuries of destruction caused by invasive predators like foxes and cats.”

Tasmanian devils vanished from the mainland after the arrival of dingoes, surviving only on Tasmania. Their population faced a further crisis due to Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a contagious cancer that has wiped out about 90% of the species since it was first identified in 1996.

Currently, there are only about 25,000 wild Tasmanian devils remaining in Tasmania, and for the past decade, Aussie Ark has been dedicated to preserving the species.

On September 10, the team released 11 Tasmanian devils, following a prior release of 15. This brings the total number of devils now living on mainland Australia to 26.

The Tasmanian devils come from Aussie Ark’s successful breeding program, which has expanded from 44 individuals in 2011 to over 200 today. The team employs techniques that encourage natural behaviors, increasing their chances of survival when released back into the wild.

“Without the dedication and hard work of Aussie Ark over the years, the recent reintroduction of the Tasmanian devil wouldn’t have been possible. Instead of witnessing the species' recovery, we would be seeing it fade into extinction,” said Don Church, president of Global Wildlife Conservation.

“This is a remarkable example of how we can rewild our planet, restoring natural systems for the benefit of all life on Earth,” he added.

Tasmanian devils, the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world, are top predators in their ecosystem. Their return will help control populations of feral cats and foxes, which prey on other endangered species. Additionally, as scavengers, they play a vital role in preventing the spread of disease in their environment.

Aussie Ark has plans for two more reintroductions, each involving 20 devils, and will also reintroduce other keystone species into the sanctuary as part of its broader initiative to restore the ecosystem.

The team will monitor the devils using radio collars, camera traps, and routine surveys to assess their progress and well-being.

Faulkner called the project a beacon of hope following the catastrophic 2019-20 Australian bushfires, which claimed the lives of approximately three billion animals.

“This is our answer to the looming threat of despair: no matter the challenges, we remain unwavering in our mission to stop extinction and restore Australia’s wildlife,” he declared.