Critical sharing of genetics nationwide for a species close to extinction

Eastern Quolls were moved between key sites, including 13 from Aussie Ark to Victoria and NSW, and four from Tasmania to Barrington Tops

In another huge step to save the endangered Eastern Quoll from extinction, conservation organisation Aussie Ark orchestrates the transfer of 17 quolls nationwide as part of a critically important genetic-sharing program with sister sanctuaries.

Three Eastern Quolls born in the Species Recovery Unit at the Barrington Tops facility were flown to Dunkeld in Victoria. Another 10 were transferred by car from the Ark to NSW’s Conmurra Wildlife Sanctuary and Secret Creek Wildlife Park.

Meanwhile, four new quolls crossed Bass Strait from Tasmania to Sydney. Animal-transport specialists Wymap Group collected the quolls from Sydney airport and drove them in comfort to the Barrington Tops. They join Aussie Ark’s breeding and rewilding program at the perfect time, with winter the Eastern Quolls’ breeding season.

Aussie Ark has the largest breeding and rewilding program for the Eastern Quoll on mainland Australia. As a managed species, the quolls in Aussie Ark’s program need to come and go as dictated by the breeding recommendations of the Tasmanian Quoll Conservation Program. It’s an exciting and vitally important system to ensure genetic health in insurance populations within sister sanctuaries nationwide, as those sanctuaries work together to ensure a future for this exquisite species.

The Eastern Quoll has been extinct on mainland Australia for over 60 years and is now only found in the wild in Tasmania, where its population continues to plummet. Mainland sanctuaries rely on quolls from Tasmania – and constant interstate transfers such as these – to keep bloodlines strong and the program genetically robust.

Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid said it was always sad to say goodbye to quolls but wonderful to receive “fresh blood” into the Ark’s quoll community, and he looks forward to seeing “all the new faces” as joeys are born this season.

“It’s a long way from Tasmania, but hopefully feels like home!” Mr Reid said. “It’s another example of Aussie Ark’s huge role in saving the Eastern Quoll from extinction as we share our animals nationwide.”

If you’d like to help Aussie Ark continue this vital work, saving the Eastern Quoll from extinction, please donate now at aussieark.org.au.