Playing God

By Bridie Smith
Updated October 5 2014 - 10:08am, first published September 6 2014 - 3:11am
Devil in the detail: Zoos Victoria CEO Jenny Gray watches as keeper Monika Zabinskas holds Milana, a one-year-old - and healthy - Tasmanian devil. Photo: Joe Armao
Devil in the detail: Zoos Victoria CEO Jenny Gray watches as keeper Monika Zabinskas holds Milana, a one-year-old - and healthy - Tasmanian devil. Photo: Joe Armao
Tasmanian devil. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)
Tasmanian devil. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)
Christmas Island pipistrelle bat. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)
Christmas Island pipistrelle bat. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)
Tasmanian devil. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)
Tasmanian devil. (Illustration by Joe Benke.)

The noise is piercing and poignant. It starts as a determined drill reminiscent of the "tut-tut" of Skippy - but delivered with a bit more chirrup - then accelerates to a pitch and pace rivalling that of a lorikeet. Then it goes quiet. That's it. The last call, made by the last Christmas Island pipistrelle bat. It lasts barely 40 seconds.

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