THEIR work helped bolster Tasmanian devil numbers, but now the Australian Reptile Park’s Aussie Ark is turning its attention towards helping the Eastern quoll.
The Central Coast zoo is spearheading a crowdfunding push to establish a 400-hectare sanctuary for the marsupials in the Hunter’s high country.
In three days, almost 30 per cent of the $75,000 target has been pledged.
Aussie Ark has established a semi-wild sanctuary in the Barrington Tops where an “insurance population” of Tasmanian devil numbers have grown away from feral predators.
The outpost, with a population free of the facial tumour disease wiping out wild devils, established Devil Ark the mainland’s most successful devil breeding program.
Australian Reptile Park and Aussie Ark director Liz Gabriel said the registered charity relied on support to keep doing its work. “We’re eternally thankful for all those who donate and are constantly putting a call out to protect our Aussie species like the Eastern quoll,” Ms Gabriel said.
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.
