The Gang Discovers Unusually Spiky
A Species in Danger
A species once near extinction now has new hope.
Biologists in Australia are celebrating after a successful reproduction effort.
Discovery at Mt Gibson
Ecologists at Mount Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary found a litter of young “western quolls,”
a cat-sized marsupial carnivore.
The species, also called chuditchs, had been largely wiped out since European settlement and now survives in small groups in southwestern Australia.
Ecological Role
Western quolls help control populations of birds, reptiles, and tiny invertebrates, making them important for the ecosystem.
Signs of Success
Researchers say the quolls are thriving.
“Through regular monitoring, we can see the quolls are doing well at the sanctuary and encountering the first pouch young is a positive sign that they have adjusted to the new environment,”
said Georgina Anderson, AWC Senior Field Ecologist.
She added, “One quoll that we’ve named Aang is a regular at camera traps…
often making rounds of multiple sites to collect the chicken we use as lures.”
