Friday, July 02, 2010

Tasmanian Angels?

Warner Brothers and "Taz" have ruined the reputation of Tasmanian Devils, say conservationists.

Nick de Vos, unit supervisor of Australian animals at Taronga Zoo, said Warner Bros has "a lot to answer for" when it came to the devils' image problem.

"[Warner Bros] have got an animal that chews through everything and anything, that spins around and that is constantly emitting this incoherent scream. Well, real devils never spin around and they have many different calls, including a soft call."

Mr de Vos said that the exhibition had been devised to "generate a bit of empathy" for the maligned creatures.

"It makes you realise they are not a screaming, spinning, blubbering Taz, but an animal that does have individual behaviour and traits that aren't always aggressive, they do have two sides."

In reality, Tasmanian devils were timid creatures that would only fight if they were forced to defend themselves, he said.

To dispel the myths, visitors to the exhibition will see devils asleep, when they appear "calm and relaxed", he said.


Oh, that's just what they'll want to do: see one asleep.

Misundertood.

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