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| Tasmanian Devil Unzoo | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tasmanian Devil Unzoo |
| Location | Taranna, Tasmania, Australia |
| Opened | 2018 |
| Area | 150 hectares |
| Exhibits | Wildlife sanctuary, nocturnal trail, research centre |
| Members | -- |
| Website | -- |
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo
The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is a wildlife sanctuary and experiential conservation facility near Taranna in Tasmania, Australia that focuses on the conservation, display, and research of the Tasmanian devil alongside other endemic species. The site combines immersive visitor experiences with scientific programs linked to regional, national and international institutions, and supports partnerships across the conservation and tourism sectors. It functions as a nexus between local communities, government agencies and non‑governmental organizations working on species recovery and ecological restoration.
The Unzoo operates as a hybrid conservation, tourism and research entity situated within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and proximate to Port Arthur, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. It positions itself within networks that include the Australian Government’s environmental initiatives, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, and academic partners such as the University of Tasmania, Monash University and the CSIRO. The facility emphasizes in situ and ex situ measures, integrating field studies, captive breeding and community outreach in collaboration with organizations like Zoos Victoria, Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Its model draws on precedents from wildlife tourism projects associated with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the Australian Maritime Museum and other cultural institutions.
The Unzoo emerged amid heightened conservation attention after the identification of transmissible facial tumor disease affecting the Tasmanian devil; milestones include initial planning phases involving the Tasmanian State Government, private conservation donors and philanthropic foundations. Key events in its development involved consultations with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Parks and Wildlife Service management plans, and engagement with heritage stakeholders linked to Port Arthur and the Tasmanian Heritage Council. The site’s establishment paralleled national initiatives such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act reviews and collaborations with international partners including the Zoological Society of London and the World Wildlife Fund. Over time, governance adaptations reflected inputs from municipal authorities, cultural heritage bodies, and scientific advisory committees drawn from the Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Society of Tasmania.
The Unzoo’s design philosophy synthesizes principles from landscape architecture, wildlife management and immersive interpretation pioneered by institutions like the Eden Project, Smithsonian Institution and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Landscape design and visitor flow were informed by conservation architects trained in approaches used at the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the New York Botanical Garden. Exhibits favor low‑impact infrastructure, wildlife corridors resembling habitats in Mount Field National Park and Freycinet National Park, and interpretive media co‑developed with cultural organizations such as Museums Victoria and the National Trust of Australia. The concept adopts open‑range enclosures and nocturnal trails inspired by practices at Auckland Zoo, Chester Zoo and San Diego Zoo Global to minimize stress and promote natural behaviours.
Research initiatives are coordinated with universities, government research divisions and NGOs, addressing disease ecology, genetics, and population dynamics. Programs include captive assurance colonies, translocation trials similar to those conducted by Kangaroo Island conservation groups, and genetic studies using methodologies from the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity. Collaborative projects involve the CSIRO on pathogen surveillance, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy on habitat restoration, and coordination with the IUCN Red List assessments. Outreach includes citizen science partnerships with Museums Victoria, the Atlas of Living Australia, and community groups modeled on successful campaigns by the Worldwide Fund for Nature.
The animal collection emphasizes endemic species under veterinary oversight aligned with standards from the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, veterinary schools at the University of Sydney and Murdoch University, and animal welfare bodies such as RSPCA Australia. Primary residents include Dasyurus maculatus (Tasmanian devil) alongside native marsupials comparable to eastern quolls, pademelons and Bennett’s wallabies, with husbandry practices informed by studies published in journals associated with the Australian Veterinary Association and the Zoological Society of London. Welfare protocols adapt techniques used by institutions like Taronga Zoo and Adelaide Zoo, incorporating behavioural enrichment, biosecurity measures and welfare auditing compliant with state legislation and international guidelines.
Interpretation and education programs are co‑developed with academic partners, cultural institutions and tourism boards including Destination Tasmania, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Australian Tourism Industry Council. Visitor offerings include guided nocturnal walks, behind‑the‑scenes research briefings, and curriculum‑aligned school programs drawing on pedagogical expertise from the University of Melbourne and Deakin University. Marketing and audience development leverage collaborations with local operators on the Tasman Peninsula, Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority, and regional festivals to broaden engagement and support conservation messaging consistent with national campaigns promoted by the Australian Government and NGOs.
Governance comprises a board of directors with representatives from conservation NGOs, academic institutions and private donors, and advisory input from state agencies such as the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment and federal environmental departments. Funding streams combine philanthropic grants, visitor revenue, research contracts with universities and government research grants administered through bodies like the Australian Research Council and the National Environmental Science Program. Partnerships with corporate sponsors, foundations and international conservation organizations complement revenue from ecotourism operators, community fundraising and collaborative grant programs led by institutions such as the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank.
Category:Zoos in Tasmania Category:Wildlife conservation in Australia