Outside of Launceston, there is a road that winds its way through farmlands to the Meander Valley. Along the occasionally sign-posted thoroughfare, I finally reach a sign that recommends I turn left into Tasmania Zoo.
Up an unsealed path, I drive past a beautiful pond until I reach the concrete-block bricked entrance. A joke with the owner and then I’m off wandering around the grounds.
The stars of the zoo are not who I expect as I wander past cages of rescued, exotic birds. For me, the primary attraction hides in an open pen with long grass.
When they hear me approach, they run over to introduce themselves. When they see I don’t have food, they almost harrumph and find some shade to sulk and go back to sleep. For this juvenile Tasmanian devil and its two siblings, I’m not the least bit interesting.
Usually nocturnal and in a wild population decimated by facial tumour disease, to see three young, healthy specimens of their species is a treat. And even at this age, they are developing the characteristics I’ve seen in the wild.
While I don't like many zoos, it's great to see a local one actively involved in the preservation of its native fauna. After all, in the Western world it's not easy being a Devil.
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