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3w ago

Eastern Quolls Thrive in New Feral-Free Sanctuary on NSW South Coast

Fifteen eastern quolls, extinct on the mainland since 1963, have been reintroduced as part of a conservation effort by Aussie Ark and the University of Sydney.

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Overview

  • Fifteen eastern quolls have been released into the Bannockburn sanctuary, a 68-hectare feral-proof site near Nowra, where they are thriving under ongoing monitoring.
  • The release is part of a broader rewilding initiative that began in April 2024 with the reintroduction of 19 quolls to Jervis Bay and other sites in NSW, Victoria, and the ACT.
  • Researchers are using advanced monitoring techniques, including VHF radio, GPS tail transmitters, and 54 camera traps, to study the quolls' ecological roles and interactions.
  • The Bannockburn sanctuary joins the SE NSW Eastern Quoll Hub, a network of sites working to ensure the species' genetic diversity and long-term survival.
  • Despite success within fenced areas, no timeline exists for fence-free releases due to threats from feral predators and pet cats, which kill millions of native animals daily.