Conservation charity Aussie Ark has recorded its best breeding season on record, revealing 69 Tasmanian devil joeys were born in this year's breeding season.
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That is a 44 per cent rise on last year for the Barrington-based program, which already boasts the largest population of the marsupial outside their home state.
"We are over the moon with excitement at 69 joeys - our best ever breeding season," Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner said.
"These joeys have the weight of their species on them as insurance populations like ours mean if Tasmanian devils in the wild do go extinct, we won't lose these animals forever."
The newborns were tallied after pouch checks conducted by keepers who have been working to ensure the health and wellbeing of the mothers all year.
Joeys remain in pouches for about four months, staying with their mothers another six months after that.
They are expected to enter the 400-hectare sanctuary late this year.
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Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
