Tasmanian devil Mary returned to her enclosure in Australia — ABC News Australia
Two-year-old Tasmanian devil Mary has returned to the visitor-accessible enclosure at the Paradise Country theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast. The animal spent several months recovering after escaping from her enclosure in June and staying in bushland near the park, ABC News Australia reports.
Two weeks of searches
Mary escaped from her enclosure after making what park staff described as an unusually large jump. She was searched for more than two weeks using tracking dogs, drones with thermal cameras and humane traps. The animal was eventually found in bushland less than two kilometres from Paradise Country.
After being returned, Mary spent five days at a specialised wildlife hospital, where she was treated for inflammation of the brain. She was then returned to the theme park for further recovery. At Paradise Country, she received round-the-clock care.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Changes to the enclosure
After the escape, Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries inspected Mary’s enclosure and other areas of Paradise Country. General manager for animal safety Allison Crook said the department found that the enclosures already met legislative requirements.
Park wildlife curator Lauren Mousley said additional safety measures had been introduced in Mary’s habitat. In particular, ledges above the enclosure were made convex so animals could not grip them, while trees were placed in the central part of the area. The number of protective guards on the trees, which prevent animals from climbing them, was also increased.
In the coming weeks, Mary is planned to be housed again with another Tasmanian devil named Mavka.
