The Prague Zoo introduced four new Tasmanian devils, in addition to the four original devils currently at the zoo, from the Australian breeding centre Aussie Ark.
Before being classified as an endangered species in 2008, Tasmanian Devils roamed all of Australia, not solely the Australian island state Tasmania. In 2020, the Prague Zoo constructed a habitat they call Darwin’s Crater to replicate the marsupial’s natural living environment.
“Thanks to the similar climate, the environment in the Czech Republic feels natural for them,” said Natálie Vašková during an interview on Praha TV.
Since the arrival of Sandra Dee, Elrond, Durin, and Faline in December, they have been in quarantine to prevent shock.
In Australia, the Tasmanian Devil population has declined from poisoning by farmers, car accidents, and a highly infectious and incurable facial cancer. In response, the government of Tasmania launched the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. This program was launched in 2003 due to the 40% decrease in the Tasmanian Devil population. With the help of more than a dozen zoos worldwide, there are now around 650 Tasmanian Devils living in captivity.
“I think it’s good that Prague zoo is accepting more Tasmanian devils into their care, I am excited to see them personally” expressed an AAU student who would prefer not to be named.
Not only is Prague Zoo accepting more devils into their care, once they receive official approval from the Tasmanian government, zookeepers will begin facilitating a natural breeding environment void of contraceptive implants.
Sandra Dee, Elrond, Durin, and Faline can be visited at the Prague Zoo in Darwin’s Crater from 16:00 beginning at the end of March.
