Mary, the Tasmanian devil whose escape prompted a two-week search in Gold Coast bushland, has returned to her public display enclosure at Paradise Country. The two-year-old marsupial went missing after escaping from her enclosure at the theme park in June and was later found less than two kilometres away.
According to ABC News, Mary evaded sniffer dogs, thermal drone technology and humane traps during the search. She was eventually captured and spent five days at a specialist wildlife hospital, where she was treated for inflammation of the brain, before returning to Paradise Country to recover.
The park provided Mary with round-the-clock care for nearly three months. Wildlife curator Lauren Mousley said she was emotional about the time it had taken to prepare Mary for her return. Mary was released into her outdoor enclosure on the latest stage of that recovery.
The escape also led Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries to conduct an onsite investigation of Mary’s enclosure and the wider facilities. ABC News reported that the department found the enclosures compliant with legislated requirements, according to animal security general manager Allison Crook.
Despite that finding, Paradise Country introduced additional safeguards to reduce the chance of another escape. Mousley said ledges overlooking the enclosure had been reshaped into domes to prevent animals from gaining a foothold. The habitat was also re-landscaped, with trees placed centrally and fitted with more non-climbable guards.
Mary is expected to be reintroduced to Mavka, her fellow Tasmanian devil, in the coming weeks, ABC News reported.