GOLD COAST — A Tasmanian devil named Mary escaped from Paradise Country theme park on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Tuesday. CCTV footage captured Mary skulking around the deserted grounds at 4 a.m. before she scampered out of frame.

Park staff discovered the escape at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, Mary had not been found despite a search by a dozen wildlife team members and a drone operator with thermal imaging capabilities.

Lauren Mousley, curator of animals at Paradise Country, described Mary as "extremely shy" and said she typically "bunkers down" when there is movement around her. Mousley called the escape "very, very abnormal, given her demeanour." She noted that Mary is two years old, an age at which Tasmanian devils "can be a little bit more adventurous."

The cause of the escape remains "a bit of mystery," Mousley said, suggesting "an abnormally large leap" may have allowed Mary to breach her quarantine area. She advised the public not to approach Mary and to call Wildcare at 07 5527 2444 if they locate her, adding that Tasmanian devils "can be reactive if they are provoked or if anyone attempts to catch them."

Hamish McCallum, emeritus professor and wildlife expert, expressed concern for Mary’s safety rather than any ecological threat. "I’d be concerned about dogs attacking her as well, but certainly her being killed by a car would be the most deadly threat," he said. McCallum noted that mammal density in south-east Queensland bush is much lower than in Tasmania, which could leave Mary hungry. "A hungry devil is easily trapped," he added.

McCallum said the mammal’s escape does not represent a planned reintroduction effort. "One random sub-adult female getting out is not the way you’d do it," he said. While he believes there is a case for reintroducing Tasmanian devils to the mainland, he emphasized, "just not like this."