"An abnormally large leap" may have allowed a two-year-old Tasmanian devil to escape her secure quarantine habitat at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast.
Paradise Country, a wildlife park on the Gold Coast in Queensland, was closed to visitors on Tuesday, June 4, 2025, after a two-year-old female Tasmanian devil named Mary was discovered missing during a routine morning check. As of Wednesday afternoon, staff had not located the animal. Biosecurity Queensland has been notified.
Circumstances of the Disappearance
Mary was housed in a secure indoor quarantine habitat with access to a small outdoor area. During initial searches, staff found no evidence of damage or structural issues that would suggest an escape from the enclosure. The method of escape is under investigation.
Lauren Mousley, curator of animals at Paradise Country, stated that "an abnormally large leap" may have allowed Mary to breach her enclosure.
CCTV footage captured Mary moving around the park grounds at 4:00 AM before she disappeared from view.
Search Efforts
The search has expanded across the park grounds. Staff are using thermal imaging equipment and drones, and security footage is being reviewed. The search continued into the evening, when Tasmanian devils are most active.
Animal Background
Mary and her companion Mavka had recently arrived at Paradise Country from a zoo in New South Wales. Mary is two years old, an age at which devils can be more adventurous. Mousley described Mary as typically shy and noted that the escape is "very, very abnormal, given her demeanour."
Public Advisory
The public is advised not to approach Mary if sighted, as Tasmanian devils can be reactive if provoked. Sightings should be reported to Wildcare at 07 5527 2444.
Expert Commentary
Professor Hamish McCallum, a Tasmanian devil expert, expressed concern that Mary could be killed by a car or attacked by dogs. He stated that while she could survive in bushland, food availability is lower than in Tasmania, making trapping more likely.
McCallum supported the concept of reintroducing Tasmanian devils to the mainland but stated that a single escaped animal in southeast Queensland is not an appropriate method of introduction.
Background on the Species
Tasmanian devils are an endangered species and are not found in the wild on mainland Australia. The species was present on mainland Australia until 500 to 5,000 years ago. Some conservationists advocate for rewilding the species to help control invasive predators such as cats and foxes. Paradise Country stated that incidents of this nature involving the species are extremely rare.