Residents of a suburban Hobart neighborhood had a surprise visitor on Wednesday night, Dec. 28, when a Tasmanian devil made its way into their home, News.com.au reports.
The family, who lives next to bushland in Sandy Bay, had left a door open for their four-month-old golden retriever puppy, who was being toilet trained.
The mother of the family, Kirsten Lynch, initially thought the animal was a stuffed toy but quickly realized it was a real Tasmanian devil when it ran underneath the couch.
The family was forced to take refuge on their dining room table while the father chased the animal out with a broom. After a few minutes, the devil made its way out of the house and back into the bush. The family chose not to call Bonorong wildlife sanctuary, as the animal did not appear to be hurt.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation organization located in Brighton, Tasmania, Australia. It is a not-for-profit organization that works to rescue and care for injured, orphaned, and sick native animals and to release them back into the wild whenever possible.
Bonorong also runs educational programs and tours to promote awareness and understanding of Australia's native wildlife and the importance of conservation. Some animals found at Bonorong include wallabies, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, and birds of prey.
Unexpected Visitors
Bonorong director Greg Irons tells ABC that this is the time of year when adolescent animals frequently migrate into suburban areas. "There's a lot of young ones leaving their mothers and heading out to try and find their way. That's obviously a pretty tough gig, "he stated. "When you're young, you don't know where food is or where water is."
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On Thursday morning alone, Bonorong received two public calls concerning Tasmanian devil sightings, with team members attending to a juvenile devil hiding beneath a dog kennel in Huonville and a young devil struck by a car in the north.
People spotted a Tasmanian devil walking the streets of West Hobart a week ago before being transported to Bonorong, where it was apparently "riddled" with facial tumor disease. Irons noted that seeing Tasmanian devils in suburban areas during the day is often a clue that something is amiss and they are looking for food.
Dwindling Populations
Tasmanian devils are Australian marsupials and are considered endangered. They are the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, growing up to 78cm in length and weighing up to 11kg. They are known for their powerful bite, the strongest of any mammal compared to their body mass. However, they are not considered a threat to humans.
Sightings of Tasmanian devils near built-up areas are rare. Still, there have been more reports in recent years, possibly due to the pandemic and the resulting reduction in human activity.
Zoos Victoria reports that the main threat to Tasmanian devils is contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), spreading through bites and devastates the population.
In the mid-1990s, the disease was responsible for a population decline of over 60%. While efforts to combat the disease, including a vaccination program and the establishment of disease-free insurance populations, have slowed its spread, the population has yet to recover.
