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Kelley Swain shares her amusing yet cautionary encounters with local Tasmanian devils that routinely swipe shoes, knickers and other household items in the Huon Valley, turning a tranquil folk‑festival setting into a nightly game of cat‑and‑mouse.Devils' Nighttime Heists in the Huon ValleyThe Cygnet folk festival drew visitors who left laundry drying on a deck, only to watch a pair of knickers vanish between the slats as a devil scuttled away. Shoes left out after dark disappear without a trace, and even the landlady’s dog joins the pilfering brigade. A recent sighting of a young devil diving beneath a driveway at dusk reinforced the reality that these marsupials are bold, curious, and surprisingly strong.Jaw Power, Population Decline, and Conservation NumbersJaw strength: equivalent to four pit bulls, capable of crushing bone.Facial tumour disease has decimated wild populations, but disease‑free groups persist on the Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island.Both refuges host small but genetically diverse populations, keeping the species classified as endangered rather than extinct.Anecdotal reports claim devils have hoarded up to 40 polar fleeces on Maria Island, illustrating their opportunistic nature.How Thieving Behaviours Shape Community Perception and Conservation EffortsLocal residents oscillate between amusement and frustration, labeling the animals “inveterate kleptomaniacs.” The quirky thefts generate media interest, boosting tourism to attractions like the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, while also prompting practical adaptations—such as securing footwear and using boat hooks to retrieve stolen boots. These interactions highlight the need for public education on coexistence and the ecological importance of preserving the devils’ habitat.What Lies Ahead for Tasmania’s Iconic CarnivoresConservationists remain cautiously optimistic: disease‑free islands provide a genetic reservoir, and ongoing monitoring aims to curb the spread of facial tumour disease. However, as human settlements expand, the frequency of human‑devil encounters—and the resulting “theft” incidents—may rise, underscoring the importance of habitat protection and community outreach to ensure the devils thrive without compromising local livelihoods.