A Devilish Encounter

Experience an exclusive meeting with our incredible Tasmanian Devils

The Australian Reptile Park is proud to launch “A Devilish Encounter”; a behind the scenes experience with the endangered Tasmanian devil. A fascinating creature, the devils are often misunderstood and considered to be vicious predators because of their noisy scowl, however, they are generally shy and timid creatures with distinct personalities.

DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease) was discovered in 1996 and is a contagious form of cancer that kills a Tasmanian devil in 3-6months. There is no sign of a vaccine or a cure and it is now estimated that less than 20% of the original Tasmanian population remain. The Tasmanian devil’s status was formally upgraded to ‘endangered’ under Tasmania’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. In 2003, a mainland breeding program was introduced and Tasmanian devils were imported from disease-free areas and housed at mainland zoos including the Australian Reptile Park. Our Park is the primary mainland breeding facility and we have had much success with our reproduction program. We currently home over 50 Tasmanian devils and 17 joeys were born in 2010.

Come behind the scenes on A Devilish Encounter on a fascinating two hour tour which is fully escorted by a mammal expert. Visit the private breeding facility at the Australian Reptile Park and receive an educational presentation on Tasmanian devils and Devil Facial Tumour Disease, the disease threatening the species. Meet a Tasmanian devil up-close even hold a joey or view joeys on pouch. Play tug-o-war with a Tasmanian devil in a specially made enclosure, and take home a souvenir photo taken with one of our Tasmanian devils.

Cost:

The cost is $150 adult/ $100 child and there is minimum 4 and maximum 8 per tour. Bookings for less than 4 people can be made on the following dates during 2012:

The tours don't run during winter, but will resume again in September 2012 on the following days:

Saturday 08 September, Saturday 06 Oct, Saturday 03 Nov, Saturday 01 Dec.

These tours will run from 12.30pm - 2.30pm.