Headline: Endangered Tasmanian devil brothers find a new mum in devoted wildlife ranger
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Two baby Tasmanian devils have found an unlikely new mum — a wildlife ranger who takes them home and cares for them day and night.
Brothers Bosco and Scrappa are being hand-raised by Aussie Ark ranger Laura Chapman after their mother Pebbles developed mastitis and could no longer feed them.
The pair were initially bottle-fed specialist formula four times a day by Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid before being weaned onto meat.
Laura now keeps them close around the clock and takes them outside as they grow in strength and confidence.
She said: “They are still nervous and wary outside, so we’re taking it slowly.
“They still love the comfort of the pouch, which is fine by me. More cuddles!”
Once independent, Bosco and Scrappa will join Aussie Ark’s Tasmanian devil breeding and rewilding programme.
Tasmanian devils vanished from mainland Australia more than 3,000 years ago and populations in Tasmania have been badly hit by deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Tasmanian devil,Tasmanian devil joeys,Bosco and Scrappa,Aussie Ark,wildlife ranger,Laura Chapman,endangered species,wildlife conservation,animal rescue,breeding programme,rewilding
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