More than a dozen eastern quolls have been released into a feral-proof site on the NSW South Coast in a major milestone for Australian wildlife conservation.
The small, endangered marsupials have been missing from the main ecosystem near the town of Nowra for 70 years, with 15 of them released in a push to “rewild” the animals.
The release into Bannockburn sanctuary was the result of a collaborative effort between not-for-profit organisation Aussie Ark and the University of Sydney’s Global Ecology Lab, who are leading a reintroduction of eastern quolls into the carefully managed environment.
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University of Sydney associate professor Thomas Newsome said the program’s focus is on long-term research into rewilding eastern quoll.
He said research will focus on detailed post-release monitoring, including the use of very-high frequency (VHF) radio and GPS tail transmitters, as well as a network of 54 camera traps across the site. Quarterly cage trapping will also be used to gather essential data.
“This includes understanding its impact as both predator and scavenger, and its role nutrient recycling within a landscape,” Newsome said.
The development comes after a similar conservation effort last year when several eastern quolls were released into Booderee Botanical Gardens at nearby Jervis Bay.
WWF Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the release was “not in isolation as one rewilding project but part of a broader movement, to support these efforts across the country”.
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Alongside Booderee, Bannockburn joins part of the SE NSW Eastern Quoll Hub, a network of sanctuaries working on a genetic population plan aimed at ensuring the species’ long-term health.
Jerrinja traditional owners were involved in the release, with tribal leader Ron Carberry reflecting on the connection between his ancestors and the eastern quoll.
“What is happening today is a magnificent moment,” he said.
“It’s about healing country.”
