Western Quoll Returns to S A Flinders Ranges

[Overlandman]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-26/w ... ry/5412284


After an absence of more than a century the western quoll is back in South Australia's Flinders Ranges as part of a trial reintroduction.

Conservation biologist David Peacock came up with the idea seven years ago and accompanied the first quolls on their flight from Western Australia to Wilpena Pound.

"It's just that disbelief, can't believe we're doing it, can't believe it's happening," he said after touching down with the precious cargo.

"You cross the border and you've brought them back into the state for the first time probably since the early 20th century and here to the Flinders (Ranges). I don't think they've been here since the 1880s."

The native marsupial used to be widespread, but predators and a loss of habitat have seen them disappear across most of the country.

Until the relocation, they were only found in the south-west corner of WA where numbers have risen under a state government-run recovery program.

"If a natural disaster happens of any description then they're gone if they're all in the one area," said Cheryl Hill from the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species, which is raising the funds for the reintroduction.

"The more places you can have them the better off they're going to be."

[mikethepike]

This really is a big story and quite an emotional one for a lot of people closely involved with it and I'm surprised I heard nothing of it till I saw this post. So thanks Overlandman for the active link. The Flinders really have taken a bashing in the past and the small mammal species have been the biggest losers so hopefully this story will have a happy ending!

[Giddy_up]

There was quite a large segment on Landline on the ABC on Sunday about it all. They all have tracking collars and some are in acclimation cages before release. Two have already met their demise at the hands of a feral cat, which is not a good start.
Seems like they have released lots more females than males, as the males tend to wander extensively and they hope that the disproportionate number of females will keep them close.

They sound like teenage boys............

[Hallu]

2 already killed by a cat is deeply alarming yes. Especially since it usually takes 1 to 3 days to catch a cat...