Ten Eastern Quoll Joeys Are Born at Aussie Ark

This pouch check is another huge conservation milestone for a species otherwise facing imminent extinction in the wild

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark has conducted its annual pouch check of the endangered Eastern Quoll in its famous breeding and re-wilding Sanctuary on the Barrington Tops, and is thrilled to announce 10 new exquisite joeys…and counting!

The pouch check involved three adult females paired with males in habitats in the Species Recovery Unit. Of those three, one female had five young which were the size of a shelled peanut, and a second female had larger young the size of orange segments already showing their signature spot markings. It was the first breeding season for the third female, who did not have pouch young but showed very positive signs of fertility and receptivity, promising more young before the end of winter.

Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman directed the pouch check, mentored by Operations’ Manager Dean Reid. Ms Chapman said she was excited and “in awe” of the joeys.

“It was so amazing to see all those brand-new baby quolls!” Ms Chapman said.

“They may seem tiny and fragile, but all the joeys we saw today are actually little fighters who have already passed Mother Nature’s toughest test. Namely, a female Eastern Quoll gives birth to up to 30 young but only six survive because the mother only has six teats. Survival of the fittest decides the lucky ones…and those are the ten joeys we saw today!”

Aussie Ark co-CEO Hayley Shute said these “lucky joeys” are even more significant this year as they have been sired by males freshly introduced from the Tasmanian Quoll Conservation Program, so genetically very valuable for the national conservation effort.

“Every joey is important as we try to save this beautiful native marsupial from extinction,” Ms Shute said.

“The joeys born this season have a bright future. Some will be released into our feral-free Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary, others will be transferred to sister organisations Oz-wide to keep the population genetically diverse and strong.”

“Aussie Ark has been breeding and rewilding this species for 10 years, and this pouch check affirms yet again that we’re achieving great results conserving and protecting this iconic native animal.”

Please help Aussie Ark save the endangered Eastern Quoll from extinction by donating now at aussieark.org.au