Wildlife authorities in Australia are actively seeking a two-year-old Tasmanian devil named Mary, who recently escaped her enclosure at the Paradise Country wildlife park located on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The search entered its third day as experts employed various methods to locate the shy marsupial.
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Mary’s adventurous escape transpired in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2. The wildlife park reported that CCTV footage captured her running freely within the park grounds long before staff realised she was gone. Following this incident, park officials emphasised that their primary concern is to ensure Mary’s safety. In a statement shared on social media, they confirmed the deployment of wildlife experts, tracking dogs, and a thermal-imaging drone to assist in the search.
Lauren Mousley, the curator of animals at Paradise Country, expressed that the circumstances surrounding Mary’s escape remain unclear. “It’s a bit of a mystery,” she said, speculating that Mary likely made an unusually big leap that enabled her to breach her quarantine area. “Generally around this age, they can be a little more adventurous, but finding that she is the one to have ventured out is quite abnormal considering her shy demeanor,” Mousley added in a recent video interview.
Tasmanian devils hold the title of the world’s largest living carnivorous marsupials. They have been extinct on the Australian mainland for over 3,000 years and are principally found on the island of Tasmania. These nocturnal creatures, typically measuring around 25 inches in length, primarily feed on carrion but are also skilled predators, hunting species such as wallabies, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. In the wild, they typically have a lifespan of about five to six years.
Given their unpredictable nature, Mousley has urged the public to not approach Mary if she is spotted. The curator added that devils can react defensively if provoked or if someone attempts to capture them. “We are continuing to work with relevant agencies,” the park confirmed through their social media, urging local residents in the Kopps Road area to report any sightings to Wildcare at a specified phone number. They further advised against attempting to catch Mary, stressing the potential risk of injury to both the animal and the person involved.
As the search persists, wildlife experts remain vigilant, exploring every possible avenue to safely locate Mary. The deployment of thermal-imaging technology signifies the seriousness with which they are treating this situation. Such measures can be particularly effective given the the nocturnal habits and elusive nature of Tasmanian devils.
Members of the community have been encouraged to remain cautious, given that the extraction of wild animals can be fraught with challenges. The park continues to update the public on their progress, highlighting their commitment to the well-being of the animal while still engaging with the community for assistance.
As the search continues, the hope remains that Mary will be found unharmed. Wildlife officials are keen to bring the two-year-old back to her enclosure safely, allowing her to return to her routine alongside her companion, Mavka. The evolving situation captures the public’s attention, exemplifying the ongoing balancing act between wildlife preservation and the complexities that arise when animals venture beyond their safe habitats.
The community waits and watches, eager for news of the elusive Tasmanian devil that momentarily escaped the constraints of her enclosure, while experts continue night and day to ensure her safe return.