Great news for the western quolls! A team of researchers in Australia has successfully propagated the species, giving them a chance at survival.
The discovery was made at the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, where a litter of spiky little creatures was found. These adorable creatures, known as western quolls or chuditchs, are a specific type of marsupial carnivore. They used to be scattered throughout Australia, but their population drastically declined due to the impact of European settlers. Now, they can only be found in the southwestern corner of Australia, in small clusters.
A Special Marsupial
The western quolls play a crucial role in the ecosystem. About the size of a cat, these marsupials help control the population of smaller invertebrates, reptiles, and birds. Restoring their population is essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem.
New Life at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary
Recently, researchers have been focused on reintroducing these marsupials to the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, an area where they were once extinct. And their efforts have paid off! The discovery of baby marsupials at the sanctuary indicates that the animals are thriving and successfully reproducing.
Georgina Anderson, the AWC Senior Field Ecologist, shared her excitement about the progress. “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,” she said.
One quoll in particular, named Aang, has become a regular visitor at the camera traps set up by the researchers. Aang stands out as one of the largest and most striking quolls, with an adventurous personality. He often roams multiple sites, collecting the chicken used as lures and even causing some mischief along the way.
A Reason to Celebrate
This discovery brings hope not only for the survival of the western quolls but also for the restoration of their presence throughout Australia. With their numbers growing at the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, there is potential for them to thrive once again.
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