Eclair is Thriving in Aussie Ark's 'Retirement Village'

Éclair is the ‘favourite Devil’ of Senior Conservation Ark Rangers and shows Aussie Ark’s commitment to Devil care from cradle to grave

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark is delighted to introduce Éclair, a truly one-of-a-kind Tasmanian Devil female who was born with a missing front leg.

Éclair is the matriarch of Aussie Ark’s Ecological Sanctuary, situated in the Barrington Tops close to Aussie Ark’s more famous Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. The Ecological Sanctuary is a 75-hectare feral-free oasis of native bush, rich with naturally occurring wildlife, that is the dedicated ‘retirement village’ for older Tasmanian Devils who have passed their prime breeding age. It is currently home to 30 such Devils, ranging in age from five to seven years.

In the Ecological Sanctuary, these older Tasmanian Devils don’t need to compete with younger Devils for food and territory, and can live out their days in peace and quiet with all the creature comforts an elderly animal needs.

Despite her small size and disability, Éclair thrives within this cohort, holding her own at feeding time and snoozing in the shade with other retirees.

Éclair was born at the Ark in May 2020 and joined the ES in September 2024 when she was almost five years old. She is now the favourite Tasmanian Devil of Aussie Ark’s Senior Conservation Ranger Nero Rochet, who takes time out of his busy schedule to visit the matriarch often.

Incredibly, although Éclair is a wild-born animal, she is very accepting of human company and allows Mr Rochet to pick her up and cuddle her. This includes massaging the stump where her limb should be, in which she remains completely comfortable and finds the gentle massage relaxing.

“Éclair is my favourite Devil just because she’s an old sweetheart - she’s absolutely stolen my heart!” Mr Rochet said. “She’s special in appearance and also in temperament. Éclair is a beautiful example of the care Aussie Ark provides all of its Devils, no matter what their age or their differences are.”

Tasmanian Devils have very short lifespans, typically no older than seven years. So Mr Rochet said Éclair “may only have another year or so on the planet”, and he’s making the most of every interaction with her.