00:00This is my favourite devil, Eclare, and you've probably already noticed she's pretty unique.
00:06Today I'm going to share Eclare's story and take you into our ecological sanctuary for
00:11the very first time.
00:13This 75 hectare feral-proof sanctuary was established in 2017, and it's mostly pristine
00:21bushland full of native wildlife.
00:24It's Osiak's retirement village for devils who have passed their prime breeding age.
00:33It's currently home to about 30 devils aged from about five years and above.
00:38Now retiring old devils to this beautiful space means that they don't have to compete
00:43for food with the younger devils and they can live out their old age in peace.
00:52Eclare is one of the matriarchs of this retirement village.
00:55She was born at the Ark in May 2020, and she's missing one of her front legs.
01:02She was born this way, so it hasn't negatively affected her during her life here at the Ark.
01:07It just makes her a little bit awkward.
01:10We retired Eclare to the ecological sanctuary in September 2024, when she was about four
01:16and a half years old.
01:18Now, even though she is small and a little bit disabled, she holds her own in the sanctuary.
01:24She will not let herself get pushed around by the other elderly devils, and she will go
01:29toe to toe with even some of the largest males at feeding time, just to get that best spot
01:34at the table.
01:40Now, Claire is my favourite devil, and that's because she's just an old sweetheart.
01:44She's special in appearance and also in temperament.
01:48Even though she was not hand raised, she seems relatively unfazed by humans, especially in comparison
01:54to other wild born devils.
01:57And she still accepts being picked up, so she is very friendly and really easy to hold.
02:05Loves hanging out with us.
02:08Eclare is a beautiful example of the care Aussiar provides all of its devils, no matter
02:14what their age or their differences are.
02:17This is one of Australia's most iconic and endangered species.
02:22Only found in the wild Tasmania, where it continues to face extinction.
02:28Aussiarch's breeding and rewilding program for this species is one of the most significant
02:34in Australia, helping secure the future for them.
02:38We're committed to giving every devil a great life, from cradle to grave.
02:45Now, devils have a very short lifespan, rarely exceeding seven years, so Eclare probably only
02:52has another year or so left on this planet, and I'll make the most of every interaction
02:57that I get with her.
03:00If you want to help Aussiarch continue its vital work securing a future for both devils,
03:06young and old, please donate now at aussiarch.org.au.
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