Endangered Northern Quoll falls from manhole at Mareeba Coles

An endangered animal caused quite the stir when it fell from the ceiling of a Mareeba shopping centre, leaping over customers as it ran for safety. Watch the video.

An endangered animal caused quite the stir when it fell from the ceiling of a Mareeba shopping centre, leaping over customers as it ran for safety.

A male northern quoll was caught on camera stuck inside a Smokemart display case moments after it had fallen through a manhole in the Mareeba Square shopping centre ceiling.

Mareeba resident Charlotte Condren witnessed the commotion while browsing the store.

“I heard the manhole on the ceiling sling open and a small creature fly over my shoulder then I saw a scared furry animal scurrying around and I immediately said ‘OMG is that a possum?’,” Ms Condren said.

Smokemart assistant manager Indi Keogh said the creature had been living in the ceiling above Coles for some time but they had recently started renovations.

“The roof was removed for the upgrade and it must’ve disturb the little guy,” Ms Keogh said.

“We thought it was a rat at first and saw how big it was, there was a lot going on.

“He was pretty cute but very scared, the poor darling,” she said.

Mareeba residents got a shock when an endangered northern quoll fell from the ceiling at Mareeba Square, causing havoc as he tried to run for safety. Picture: Charlotte Condren.

Despite staff efforts to capture the animal, it escaped to a nearby cafe kitchen were it was eventually rescued by Four Elements Consulting rangers who were able to set a safe trap.

“The team set a trap overnight and the quoll entered without any handling,” Four Elements Consulting managing director Mellissa Brown said.

“It was actually quite an easy task for the team and he was released not very far away, in its habitat.

“We make sure they are inside something they can use as a den, until they move on the next day.”

Ms Brown confirmed the animal was alone in the roof and no other quolls were currently at risk in the centre.

“Females aren’t denning yet as it is mating season, which may be why (the males) he was moving around,” she said.

“It’s a good reminder to close up your rubbish bins because they are drawn to the food.”

Originally published as Endangered Northern Quoll falls from manhole at Mareeba Coles