Hand-Raised Devils, Newy & Rumble Thrive at Aussie Ark

The one-year-olds have joined four other sub-adult Devils in their new habitat, and are quickly navigating life together

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark is thrilled to announce its favourite hand-raised Tasmanian Devils – orphan brothers Newy & Rumble – have transitioned seamlessly into an adult habitat, quickly navigating the often-tricky politics of Devil society with four other sub-adults.

The adorable pair was first introduced to the world as tiny joeys last year, after they were separated from their mother and rescued during May’s emergency flood event. Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid took care of them in the critical first weeks, and then mentored Wildlife Rangers Riley Tydeman and Laura Chapman to take over as co-parents. Mr Tydeman and Ms Chapman weaned the brothers off milk, and early this year transitioned them into a large habitat in the Species Recovery Unit.

Now one year-old, Newy and Rumble require a lot more room to run around, connect with their wild side, and take their place in Aussie Ark’s famous Devil family. Under Ms Chapman’s direction, the pair were transitioned into the large habitat directly in front of the Interpretative Centre at the Barrington Tops Sanctuary. They are literally the very first Devils the public sees during a visit to the Ark, and this suits Newy and Rumble perfectly after their infancy with human parents.

To make the transition as easy as possible, Newy and Rumble were released into this habitat at the same time as the other four youngsters. The team then used remote sensor cameras as well as personal phones to record their progress. Ms Chapman was delighted with how well the pair embraced independent Devil life.

“The footage reveals some heated arguments, but that’s completely natural; that is how Tasmanian Devils communicate!” Ms Chapman said. “To see Newy and Rumble in this environment, interacting with Devils they’ve never met before, was so amazing. Even though they are hand raised they still have that wildness, and they still understand how to communicate and act around other ‘wild’ Tasmanian Devils. I feel like a proud parent!”

Ms Chapman encourages the public to visit the Ark to see Newy and Rumble up close and personal, and the best way to do so is book a Devils in the Wild tour via the website.

Newy and Rumble have a long and positive future ahead of them, and will one day join Aussie Ark’s breeding and rewilding program helping save the species from extinction. Please help continue this vital work by donating now at aussieark.org.au