Devil Duo, Bosco and Scrappa, Thrive Under Care
Tasmanian Devil joeys Bosco & Scrappa are thriving with their new ‘mum’ Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman
Exquisite behind-the-scenes home videos show Devil brothers playfighting, sunbaking, dining & cleaning paws
Conservation organisation Aussie Ark is thrilled to announce its newest hand-raised endangered Tasmanian Devil joeys – brothers Bosco and Scrappa – are thriving in human care and have transitioned to living with new ‘mum’ Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman as they begin their countdown to adulthood.
Bosco and Scrappa first came into care when it was discovered their mother Pebbles was suffering painful mastitis and could no longer effectively nurse them. Their first surrogate parent was Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid, who took care of their diet and health in those first critical weeks of transition. This included habituating them to a specialist milk formula, with four feeds day and night!
Once Mr Reid was happy with their progress, he started weaning them on to meat and transferred them into the care of Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman. In the wild, the joeys would still be totally dependent on their mother at this age and be either hidden in the den or riding on mum’s back for short forays. So Ms Chapman has Bosco and Scrappa with her constantly, including afterhours in her home, where the pair enjoy endless love and enrichment such as toys and games. As the pair build strength and confidence, Ms Chapman is taking them outdoors more for exercise. But this is still a bit daunting for the otherwise rambunctious joeys…and Ms Chapman is as protective as any mother!
“They are still nervous and wary outside, so we’re taking it slowly!” Ms Chapman said. “They still love the comfort of the pouch, which is fine by me. More cuddles!”
Ms Chapman says she loves Tasmanian Devils and “feels so proud playing such a hands-on role helping save this species from extinction”.
When fully independent, the pair will join Aussie Ark’s Tasmanian Devil breeding and rewilding program which is the largest insurance population on mainland Australia. The species has been extinct on the mainland for over 3000 years and is only found in Tasmania, where its population continues to plummet due to the highly contagious and fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
Ms Chapman encourages the public to visit Bosco and Scrappa by joining one of Aussie Ark’s Devils in the Wild Tours, and to help Aussie Ark continue its vital work saving the species from extinction by donating now at aussieark.org.au
