Tasmanian devil named Mary eludes searchers for third day at Australian wildlife park
Mary, a Tasmanian devil, has managed to evade searchers equipped with thermal-imaging drones for three consecutive days after escaping from Paradise Country Wildlife Park on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The furry carnivorous marsupial was discovered missing from her enclosure on Tuesday morning.
A dozen wildlife experts joined forces with a sniffer dog and a drone operator in an extensive two-night search, according to park officials. They stated that their primary focus remains on locating Mary to ensure her welfare, with the search continuing into the evening.
CCTV footage released to the public showed Mary moving away from the park’s grounds at night several hours before her disappearance was noticed. Tasmanian devils, known for being agile and mostly nocturnal, can cover up to 10 miles in a single night and have been extinct on the Australian mainland for over 3,000 years.
The marsupials, which can live up to six years in the wild with males weighing as much as 30 pounds and standing 1 foot tall at the shoulder, are listed as endangered due to a significant threat from devil facial tumor disease. Mary’s escape remains a mystery, but her curator, Lauren Mousley, warned the public not to approach the animal if they see her, as devils can be reactive when provoked or caught.
When located, Mary will undergo a full medical assessment before being reunited with her housemate, Mavka.