The latest release of wild devils under the Save The Devil Program (STDP) has taken place with 33 devils released into the wukalina / Mount William area late last month.
I am pleased to report the devils are faring well and dispersing widely as they become acquainted with their new surroundings in Tasmania’s north east.
This is great news and reflects our ongoing commitment to secure the future of the devil where it belongs- right here in the wild in Tasmania.
This latest release is the third stage of rebuilding the wild population in Tasmania under the Wild Devil Recovery (WDR) Project, with wild-born devils from Maria Island transported to the wukalina/Mount William site late last month and released in stages over a two-week period.
Most of the animals have dispersed within a 10 kilometre area of the release site, with one devil travelling as far as Ansons Bay and Blue Tier and some expected to move as far as the tebrakunna/Cape Portland area.
Roadkill is a threat for devils and the STDP and partners have developed a number of roadkill mitigation strategies to reduce the number of released devils being killed by cars on nearby roads.
These include installing virtual fencing units and road signs, working closely with local councils and local communities, putting bleach marks on devils and using reflective tape on collars, and urging drivers to take care while driving at night and to slow down between dusk and dawn.
The STDP is committed to establishing an enduring and ecologically functioning population of Tasmanian devils in the wild and is a joint response by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments to the threat of DFTD to devils.
The newly released devils will be trapped and their health checked at regular periods over the next three-month period.