Tasmanian devil back in Australia

Tasmanian devils became extinct in Australia 3,000 years ago. Now, 26 of these famous marsupials have returned.

They have been reintroduced to a wildlife park near Sydney, an effort which involved conservation groups such as Aussie Ark, of which Tim Faulkner is president.

"This release of devils will be the first of many. We're talking something monumental, a real mark in history, the return of devil to mainland."

Up to 8kg in weight, devils are carnivores which hunt and feed on other animals. Faulkner thinks they have an essential role in Australia.

"We've got the feral fox and feral cat wreaking havoc on our natives. And a control measure, a natural control measure, like a devil, back in the environment could be the only natural solution we have to protecting our natives."

Dingoes hunted the devils to extinction. The wild dogs had been introduced to Australia but not Tasmania, where devils survive. However, a disease in the 1990s caused most to die. With only 25,000 still alive, this project might help safeguard the species.

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