{"id":710610,"date":"2026-06-02T15:22:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T15:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/710610\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T15:22:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T15:22:37","slug":"paradise-country-closed-after-newly-added-tasmanian-devil-mary-vanishes-at-gold-coast-theme-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/710610\/","title":{"rendered":"Paradise Country closed after newly added Tasmanian devil \u2018Mary\u2019 vanishes at Gold Coast theme park"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major search is underway at a theme park forced to close to visitors after a young Tasmanian devil mysteriously vanished from its enclosure.<\/p>\n

Paradise Country on the Gold Coast<\/a> confirmed on Tuesday one of its two recently arrived devils, named Mary, could not be found during routine morning checks.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the safety and wellbeing of our guests, team members and animals, Paradise Country is temporarily closed while our wildlife team is conducting a wide search and investigation into the disappearance of a Tasmanian Devil,\u201d the park said in a statement. <\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Mary was being housed in a secure indoor quarantine habitat with access to a small outdoor area.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur experienced wildlife team has conducted a wide and thorough search of the habitat and surrounds, with no evidence of damage or structural issues that would allow Mary to escape,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

\"ParadiseParadise Country temporarily closed its gates while staff investigated the disappearance and searched the park grounds. Credit: Paradise Country\"TasmanianTasmanian devils are nocturnal marsupials native to Tasmania and are listed as endangered in the wild. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

The search has now expanded across the wider park grounds, with staff using thermal imaging equipment, drones and security footage as they continue the hunt into the evening when Tasmanian devils are most active.<\/p>\n

Paradise Country said Biosecurity Queensland<\/a> was notified as Tasmanian devils are an endangered species and not found in the wild on mainland Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe welfare of the animals in our care is our highest priority, and our habitats are specifically designed to ensure the safety and security of each species, with incidents of this nature extremely rare,\u201d the park said. <\/p>\n

Tasmanian devils are carnivorous marsupials native to Tasmania and are known for their powerful jaws, loud screeches and nocturnal behaviour. <\/p>\n

The species is listed as endangered in the wild due largely to the spread of Devil Facial Tumour Disease.<\/p>\n

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