High in the Barrington Tops, not for profit organisation DevilArk are in a race against time to save the beloved Tasmanian Devil from extinction.
DevilArk's mission is to save the remaining 10% of devils from extinction after Devil Facial Tumour Disease wiped out 90% of the population.
The organisation launched a crowdfunding campaign in early December last year with a goal to raise $375, 000, but with only 10 days of the campaign remaining, they have only reached $159, 882 (as of Thursday 5th January).
General Manager Tim Faulkner says DevilArk relies on donations for the upkeep of the park with operations covered efficiently with the help of The Australian Reptile Park.
"Reptile Park itself has put $1.5 million towards the Tasmanian Devil; we don't ever get that back, that's a donation and we can't continue to do that and DevilArk is a not for profit and simply we have to raise funds to be able to expand our facility."
The campaign has been successful in raising awareness of the devil's plight and DevilArk's conservation work, but unfortunately isn't raising the funds.
Mr Faulkner says the crowdfunding campaign is unique - if the target isn't reached, DevilArk receives none of the pledged funds.
"We've got half that amount and $160, 000 is really significant, the catch is we don't get to $375, 000 we don't get the funds pledged, it all gets returned so with 12 [10] days to go we need community support, we need Australia's support for an iconic species to help us on our way."
DevilArk's campaign finishes 5pm on 14th January: https://pozible.com/project/help-save-the-tasmanian-devil
