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Conservation organisation, Aussie Ark, have today returned 50 endangered Eastern Quolls to their protected, wild sanctuary in the Barrington Tops. The Quolls have been returned in preparation for this year’s breeding season, in hopes that the quolls will go on to breed with an existing population of the endangered species released to the sanctuary. The organisation is confident that this year's baby boom will be historic.

This release of quolls is the second undertaken by the conservation organisation, but is hugely significant because of the sheer number that were able to be released. The 50 quolls are the result of years of hard work, to build the insurance population of the species to a large enough number to undertake such significant work. The release was attended by Aussie Ark partners Volkswagen, who are supporting the organisation's new project for the threatened Spotted-tail Quoll.

The quolls are part of the organisation’s Eastern quoll breeding program as a part of the larger Tasmanian Quoll Conservation Program. Through the program, Aussie Ark has successfully bred this vulnerable species in the Barrington Tops and now hold over 150 individuals, a number that grows with every breeding season.

Dean Reid, Operations Manager of Aussie Ark advised “our goal has always been to bolster the Eastern quoll species’ population, rewild the Barrington Tops and stop their extinction. The release of these 50 individuals is another step in this plan for Aussie Ark.

“We have released these quolls at the perfect time for them to find mates. Meaning we should be able to get back out here in a couple of months’ time and confirm breeding and the presence of joeys”

The Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary has been effectively managed by Aussie Ark to remove introduced feral foxes and cats, which are the number one killers of native wildlife in Australia. The sanctuary also undergoes intense fire management and weed management activities, creating a pristine habitat for species, like quolls, to survive, thrive and breed effectively.

Reid adds “by replicating the needed healthy and safe environment, we are confident that we will have joeys being bred into our sanctuary in just a few short months.”

By strategically reintroducing the right species in the right habitats, Aussie Ark is leading the way on rewilding Australia, restoring the ecosystems to their original state. This benefits not only the quolls, the ecosystems in which they live, and Australia, but helps ensure a healthier planet for all life on Earth.

The organisation's Eastern Quoll breeding program is supported by Australian Geographic, WIRES and Re:wild.

You can help Aussie Ark ensure a future for the Eastern quoll population by donating at aussieark.org.au/donate  https://www.aussieark.org.au/donate/

Image top: Aussie Ark team with Volkwagen representative Julien preparing to release Quolls; image centre and above Aussie Ark release of Quolls

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