A species once on the brink of extinction has been given a new chance at survival thanks to the dedicated efforts of researchers in Australia. Their perseverance has finally paid off, offering hope for the future of an animal that has nearly disappeared from the wild.
Once abundant, western quoll populations began to decline sharply after European settlement. Today, only small groups remain, mainly in southwestern Australia. Although this marsupial is the size of a tomcat, they play a key role in balancing the ecosystem by controlling populations of invertebrates, reptiles, and birds.
Determined to restore the species, researchers spent months reintroducing western quolls to the Mt. Gibson Sanctuary, an area where they had previously become extinct. The recent discovery of newborn quolls confirms that the reintroduction efforts were successful. The animals have not only adapted to their new environment but are thriving and reproducing well—an important indicator of a stable and growing population.
Regular monitoring has shown that the quolls are settling in well. Georgina Anderson, Senior Field Ecologist at AWC, expressed optimism about their progress, noting that the presence of young in their pouches is a clear indicator of the species’ ability to thrive at the sanctuary.
One of the standout animals in the program is a quoll named Aang, an exceptionally large and confident member of the group. Aang can be seen on camera trap footage and often visits different locations, catching chicken for bait and even disturbing bait boxes, demonstrating his personality and intelligence.
It’s a joy to see the hope for the future of this species! We hope it can spread throughout Australia again soon!
