At the ripe old age of six and a half, our Strangely Beautiful Australia resident gentleman, Herod, requires a little extra care and special attention. Considered an old man in Tasmanian devil years, their life expectancy is between five and six years old – but with all that zoos have learnt about how to best care for them, they are surpassing their wild life expectancy.
As Herod continues being an important advocate for his endangered species, it’s vital we ensure Herod’s quality of life on a daily basis. Carnivore Keeper Nick Parashchak says it’s important to check his body condition, how he moves, whether he is hungry and if he eats well. Some days Herod enjoys a tug of war when being fed his meals, which helps his keepers check his movement, appetite, and that he’s acting like his normal self. Other days his food gets hidden or hung up around the exhibit to encourage Herod to hunt for his dinner!