Spotted-tailed quoll thriving in Danbulla National Park, Tinaroo

A subspecies of the spotted-tailed quoll has started to make a comeback in the Far North after numbers dropped to less than 221 in 2022. Find out more.

A RARE, endangered quoll has been detected breeding in areas on the Tablelands where it was once declared by scientists to be extinct.

Citizen scientists of the Australian Quoll Conservancy (AQC) have detected evidence of breeding of the spotted-tailed quoll in Danbulla National Park – an area where the marsupial was once declared by scientists to be extinct.

AQC president Alberto Vale said that in the last year the number of spotted-tailed quolls had increased from five to a whopping 21, in the area monitored in the national park, near Tinaroo.

Spotted-tailed Quolls caught on survey cameras in an area near Danbulla National Park in Tinaroo. Picture: AQC

“We can weigh, detect sex, and determine pouch young during breeding season from survey cameras,” Mr Vale said.

“Evidence of breeding is not a mathematical equation proven by numbers, it is available in photo and video.”

No two Quolls have the same spots, which helps differentiate and keep an accurate count of the cat-sized predators whose numbers have been dwindling in the last few decades.

Habitat fragmentation, more cars on the highways, random use of 1080 and PAPP baiting in eastern Australia have taken their toll on roaming males and quoll populations.

No two Quolls have the same spots, which helps differentiate and keep an accurate count of the cat-sized predators. Picture: Rob Leeson

Considering their incredibly short lifespan of three years, the marsupials have been adapting well to changing conditions and the increase in number indicates some restoration of balance to the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforests.

The AQC is calling upon citizen scientists to help with Quoll conservation.

Training is provided to volunteers who would be required to go to the areas and replenish cameras and lures at regular intervals.

“Very small groups of two-three people at a time are ideal to do the job,” Mr Vale said. “People who are retired, able-bodied and have flexibility with time are ideal.”

The AQC also welcomes donations via PayPal to support Quoll conservation efforts.

Originally published as Spotted-tailed quoll thriving in Danbulla National Park, Tinaroo