FfFfFfFF 58,379 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 It’s been 3,000 years since the Tasmanian devil’s raspy shriek rang through the forests of mainland Australia. But now, thanks to a dogged reintroduction effort, 26 of these endangered tiny terrors have returned. No bigger than a lapdog, these marsupials are famous for their ferocity and powerful jaws, which can reduce large carcasses to smithereens in minutes. But in the 1990s, the species was hit with a contagious and deadly mouth cancer, causing its only remaining wild population, on the Australian island state of Tasmania, to drop to just 25,000 animals. As scavengers, devils play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced, healthy ecosystem—which is why scientists have been trying so hard to bring them back. “We've worked for over a decade to get to this point,” says Tim Faulkner, president of AussieArk, a species recovery organization. Even still, reintroducing animals is uncertain business, so the scientists did a soft launch of 15 devils in March of this year. The team used radio-collars to check in on the released devils, as well as put out kangaroo carcasses for food as the animals adjusted to their new home. After all of the devils showed signs of thriving, the scientists felt optimistic enough to release another 11 individuals on September 10—and now they beasts are mostly on their own. “They're free. They're out there,” says Faulkner. “We’ve got some basic means of keeping an eye on them. But essentially, now it's over to the devils to do what they do.” Source: National Geographic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenaliner 3,809 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 So cute! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chic 20,830 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 BABIEEES so adorable! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PunkTheFunk 125,719 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 6 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said: endangered tiny terrors Coming for the Little Monsters' gig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaky Oliver 23,026 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 I love reading good news about animals. Hopefully in the future, human rights will be so well assured that we can delve deep into animal rights Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazzarus 2,411 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Omg, why are they so cuteee!!?? I always imagined them like this but they are just adorable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galactic Mess 1,393 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 The way they look nothing like Taz I’m disappointed but relieved Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanta 5,019 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Like someone else said, good news when it comes to animals makes me so happy and warm inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rio 5,088 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Scary creatures. Can't they crunch through pure bone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannaeDrive 3,412 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Cuties Monstrosities "Fame Is A Boomerang" - Maria Callas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Aren't these guys super spreaders of various diseases? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannesrats 26 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 yas good for them gay icons Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FfFfFfFF 58,379 Posted October 7, 2020 Author Share Posted October 7, 2020 19 hours ago, bionic said: Aren't these guys super spreaders of various diseases? To humans no, only inside their species they can transmit cancer to one another. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic 50,111 Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 39 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said: To humans no, only inside their species they can transmit cancer to one another. Oh yeah I’m thinking of koalas. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMROD 117,328 Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 Maybe they can help with snakes infestation there now. Also they are kinda metal (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ✧*:･ﾟ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵗᵒʷᵃʳᵈ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ (*´艸｀*) ♡♡♡ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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