DEVILISH behaviour has brought about a devil of a good time, with a brazen meat thief's ill-gotten haul sparking simultaneous feeding frenzies at wildlife parks across Hobart.
It was a rare feast in store for Tasmanian devils around the south yesterday as the proceeds of crime were widely distributed to the ravenous bone-shredding carnivores.
Ham, steaks and roasts were on the menu at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and other centres affiliated with the Devil Program and the flesh-loving residents showed no hesitation in devouring the evidence left over after police ticked off on the investigation.
"The meat, valued at $2600, was stolen from various supermarkets around Hobart," Detective Senior Constable Katrina Lane said watching on at Bonorong yesterday.
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| Bonorong owner Greg Irons feeds Pewee the devil with meat confiscated as the proceeds of crime. Picture: KIM EISZELE |
"It was later seized as evidence and kept in cold storage."
The offender was charged, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months' jail, wholly suspended.
"I didn't want to see all that meat destroyed and I asked that the magistrate direct it be released to a good cause," the animal-loving police officer said.
The disposal request was granted, allowing the proceeds of this particular crime to be "wholly enjoyed and wolfed down" as Sen-Constable Lane put it.
Devil Program senior keeper Jocelyn Hockey said it was great to have agencies working together to turn a set of adverse circumstances into a positive and help in the protection of a unique species.
"It feels appropriate that we are able to recycle this meat to participants in our own rehabilitation program," Bonorong Sanctuary manager Petra Harris said.
"Some of the devil residents at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary have come into our centre orphaned or injured and donations assist us to ensure they are happy and healthy in our care," she said.
By zara.dawtrey@news.com.au
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