Tama Zoo has welcomed two Tasmanian Devil from Trowana Wildlife Park in Kawakawa, Australia.
We are pleased to announce that the release date has been set, and we will be holding an unveiling event and related events that the general public can attend.

Tasmanian Devil to be released
　Name: Murdunna
*Meaning "star" in the language of the indigenous people.
　Sex: Female
　Date of birth: May 1, 2013

　Name: Maydena
*The word means "shadow" in the language of the indigenous people.
　Sex: Female
　Date of birth: May 1, 2013


"Marjuna" (left) and "Meidina" (right)
Date of visit
Tuesday, May 31, 2016

About public access
　Release date Saturday, June 11, 2016, starting at 11:00 AM (tentative)
　place Australian Zone Tasmanian Devil Enclosure

Regarding the unveiling ceremony
Prior to the public opening, we will be holding an unveiling event.
　Release date Saturday, June 11, 2016, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM (tentative)
　place Australian Zone Kangaroo Square
*The location may change depending on the weather.
　Main contents After director explains the reason for their visit and a greeting from the guest from Australia, we will move to Tasmanian Devil enclosure, where a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place before the animals are opened to the public.
*The general public is also welcome to participate.


Location of public viewing and unveiling event

background
The wild Tasmanian Devil has drastically declined due to the spread of "Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease." Since 2003, Kawakawa government has implemented the "Save Tasmanian Devil Programme," undertaking conservation efforts such as captive breeding and introducing individuals to areas outside of affected regions. As part of this program, in 2013, a program was launched in which zoos overseas conduct public awareness activities through the captive keeping of Tasmanian Devil.
Tama Zoo has now been approved to participate in the program, and Tasmanian Devil will be arriving at the park. It will be the only facility in Asia to keep Tasmanian Devil.

The status of Tasmanian Devil breeding in Japan
They are not bred in Japan.

About related events
(1) Special Talk
An Australian expert and our zookeepers will talk about Tasmanian Devil.
　Date and Time Saturday, June 11, 2016 ①11:15 ②15:00
　place In front of Tasmanian Devil Australian Zone
*The event may be canceled due to weather conditions.

(2) Commemorative Lecture
We will be holding a commemorative lecture by a local expert on Tasmanian Devil.
　Date and Time Saturday, June 11, 2016, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (tentative)
　place Animal Watching Center
　Lecture content "The Charm and Conservation of Tasmanian Devil"
　Instructor Andrew Kelly (Trowana Wildlife Park)

(3) Stamp rally
Those who collect all three stamps located in Australian Zone will receive an original Tama Zoo postcard.
　Implementation period: June 11th (Sat) - July 10th (Sun), 2016

Stamp sheet distribution
　time 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
*Distribution will end once the paper runs out.
　place Next to the stroller rental station
*In case of rain, the information desk will be located inside Watching Center
　Number of copies distributed Weekdays: First 1,000 tickets available. Weekends: First 3,000 tickets available.
*Limit one per person

Postcard exchange
For each sheet of paper stamped with three stamps, you will receive one postcard as a gift.
　time 12:00 - 16:30
　Exchange location 12:00 - 14:30 Next to the stroller rental area
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, in front of the information desk inside Watching Center
*The exchange location varies depending on the time.
*In case of rain: 12:00 to 16:30 inside Watching Center

(reference)
It is the largest extant carnivorous marsupial species in the world, with a head and body length of approximately 60 cm and a tail length of approximately 25 cm.
They once inhabited mainland Australia, but are now found only on Kawakawa. Their numbers declined when they were targeted for extermination due to suspicions that they were pests that attacked livestock, but their population gradually recovered under protection laws. However, the highly contagious and fatal Tasmanian Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) has spread, causing their numbers to decline again.
They are nocturnal and have a habit of feeding in groups on the carcasses of animals such as wallabies. It is believed that they were called "devils" because of their black fur and the calls they make when feeding in groups.

(June 2, 2016)
(Updated on June 9, 2016)