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Cheeky little devils!

By Chris // 4 May 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: photography, Things to do, Traveller blog, wild life

Coming on my first trip to Tassie, who could resist the chance to view Tasmanian Devils in the flesh and even better, at feeding time.  Now there are a few places on the island you can do this, but for one of those out of the way 'real' experiences you just cannot go past NatureWorld on the east coast.

Here is what they have to say

"East Coast Natureworld is Australia's premier Nature Park. We bring the Tasmanian wilderness to you. Set amongst 150 acres of natural parkland and lagoons, Natureworld is the perfect place to experience Tasmania’s unique and amazing animals, birds, reptiles and plant life.  We also operate as a rescue, breeding and rehabilitation centre — making Natureworld a very special place. We returned a large percentage of our animals to the wild last year!! Visitors can get up close and personal, as hand feeding of the free roaming animals and birds is encouraged.  Come and meet our Devils, Roos, Quolls, Koalas, Tiger Cats, Tiger Snakes, Wombats, Eagles, Owls, Cape Barren Geese, ‘Narkies’, Bettongs, Pademelons, Sugar Gliders, Black Cockatoos, and Pelicans."

Now with all those creatures there has to be some highlights (apart from the Devils of course).  Now I've seen a few Roo's, wombats and wallabies but the Pademelons are just so cute'  They really are fine featured and timid.  While the Tiger snakes were so active and out in the open, you could almost touch them.  But don't worry, I didn't, I've heard enough stories about snake bites to last a lifetime.

Now to the devils, like I said they really were v cute, not least because handlers had hand-reared 4 of them and they were still only a year-old (about half-size).  They could be picked up (by a handler), would fall sleep instantly (a reflex action I think) and could be stroked by Jo public, which was v cool.  They would also bite on the trouser cuff of a handler and were quite happy to be dragged around the enclosure.  Very cool!

Then it was feeding time, a raw wallaby joint (apparently local road-kill) was thrown in and away they went, fortunately these girls were all sisters, so no real fighting, just the odd growl but they certainly tear into their meal.  Mum was in the next enclosure so their adult size is also revealed and I certainly will not be devil-stalking in the dark in a hurry.

So, if getting up close and personal with Tasmanian Devils is what you are looking for, then I can highly recommend NatureWorld.

Phone: 03 6375 1311

Address: 18356 Tasman Highway, Bicheno Tasmania 7215

info@natureworld.com.au

natureworld.com.au

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