Weathered But Wild: Tasmanian Devils Rescued From Floods, Snow And Storms

Storm-Displaced Tasmanian Devils Return To Wild

More than a dozen endangered Tasmanian devils have finally been released back into the wild, after their habitats were destroyed by record-breaking floods, snowstorms and even a rare “bomb cyclone."

The rewilding marks a hopeful victory for conservationists in New South Wales, Australia, who have been working for months to care for the devils.

Their story begins in May 2025, when parts of Australia faced catastrophic flooding from extreme rainfall inundating the region. Entire communities were isolated, pasturelands vanished beneath murky water and even protected national parks were forced to close.

Just two months later, a “bomb cyclone” struck eastern Australia, bringing hurricane-force winds and more widespread flooding.

Mother Nature wasn't finished. August 2025 brought rare, heavy snowfall to New South Wales. Some areas recorded up to 16 inches of snow, their thickest accumulation in decades.

Among those affected by the chaos were fourteen Tasmanian devils living in the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary, a crucial refuge for the species that’s been extinct on mainland Australia for more than 3,000 years. Floodwaters destroyed parts of their habitat, forcing wildlife rangers to capture and relocate the devils for their safety.

(MORE: Small Fish Sparks Hope In Tennessee Town)

The devils spent months in care as volunteers with Aussie Ark, a wildlife conservation charity, rebuilt the sanctuary and monitored the animals’ health through the region’s turbulent winter. "We weigh them, we give them a body condition score and we give them preventatives to protect them from parasites," said Chapman.

“It’s great to get up close and personal to make sure they’re all healthy," she added. "Then it’s my favorite part, releasing them into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s always amazing to see this big carnivorous marsupial gallop off into the bush.”

(MORE: Endangered Turtle Makes One Shell Of A Comeback)

Despite the devastation of 2025’s extreme weather, Aussie Ark's volunteers see this moment as proof of nature’s resilience, and of how communities can turn environmental hardship into renewal.

“I love devils,” Chapman said. “They’re so unique and tough, and they play such an important role in our environment. So it’s great to see these 14 healthy animals disappear into the sanctuary. Such an amazing way to finish what was such a hard year at Aussie Ark.”

You can help Aussie Ark continue their vital work saving the Tasmanian devil by visiting aussieark.org.au.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.