Newy & Rumble Begin Their Next Journey Together
This famous duo have transitioned from human care to connecting with their wild side
Now 12 months old, this transition is a major milestone for the pair as they connect with their wild side and prepare to join breeding program
Conservation organisation Aussie Ark is thrilled to transition its famous hand-raised Tasmanian Devil brothers, Newy and Rumble, from human care to outdoor habitats as the pair take a major step on their journey towards joining the organisation’s breeding and re-wilding program.
The joeys first came into care when they were tragically separated from their mother during last winter’s wild weather. Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid and Wildlife Ranger Riley Tydeman cared for the joeys in the first critical weeks, after which Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman became the principal ‘parent’ to the pair.
Newy is accustomed to the limelight after being symbolically adopted and named by Newcastle Airport and is a bold and curious youngster. His brother Rumble is shyer in nature but plucks up courage and curiosity in Newy’s company; together they are a whirlwind of activity and fun!
They spent their first Christmas in the team’s accommodation, famously cavorting in the tinsel, chasing baubles, and knocking over the Christmas tree. They then became the star attraction of Aussie Ark’s Open Days during the summer school holidays, embraced by dozens of people and helping raise awareness about their species.
Over the past six months Ms Chapman and Mr Tydeman took turns caring for the joeys, which involved 24-hour-a-day feeding and attention at both work and home. Ms Chapman captured wonderful home videos on her phone.
“Two rambunctious Devils in your house is pretty entertaining!” Ms Chapman said. “They are constantly busy, exploring the furniture, playfighting, and getting up to mischief!”
Ms Chapman’s commitment to the joeys has paid off, with both in excellent health and ready to become adult Devils. Now 12 months old, Newy and Rumble are fully weaned, independent, and “getting wilder by the day”. It’s time to break the human bond, so the brothers have now transitioned into a large outdoor habitat in the Species Recovery Unit. In the future they will join dedicated breeding yards, become fathers, and play their part helping save their species from extinction.
The Tasmanian Devil has been extinct from the mainland for over 3000 years and is only found in the wild in Tasmania where its population continues to plummet due to the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Aussie Ark has the largest insurance population of this iconic native species on the mainland, with over 500 joeys born.
