FAME has once again partnered with DEW (South Australian Department of Environment and Water) to safeguard the Western Quoll in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, South Australia through ongoing monitoring and specific management
response in order to allow the quoll population to further expand and
prosper beyond current limits.
Second Stage Safeguarding the Western Quoll (Idnya)
The Project
EPBC Status: Vulnerable
Species Profile: Dasyurus geoffroii— Chuditch, Western Quoll
Found in: Western Australia and South Australia (reintroduced)
Main threats: Feral cats and foxes
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Monitoring of the whole population through twice yearly trapping indicated that the population has consistently grown. However, as we now aim to build a sustainable population, it is vital we continue to monitor and track the quolls, particularly with threat abatement management the greatest challenge.
To safeguard the Western Quoll in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, specific management mechanisms will be undertaken to control feral predators as well as regular, ongoing monitoring of the population.
Background:
In April 2014 as part of a joint project between FAME and The Government of South Australia, 37 Western Quolls were released to see if the species could survivein the Flinders Ranges. Fortunately, the species has flourished in its former home and further releases in 2015 and 2016 have strengthened the population.
For the first time in living memory, the Adnyamathanha people are able to see the animal that is one of their totems and mentioned in dreamtime stories thriving in the wild. Extensive on ground feral management has been undertaken to ensure the survival of the Quolls with the assistance of the South Australian Sporting Shooters Association.
UPDATES
- 18 MARCH 2019; Spotted! A Western Quoll (Idnya) visits resort in Flinders Rages. Read more: Project release
- 2 APRIL 2019; Western Quoll and Brush-tailed Possum monitoring begins. Read more: Project update
- 11 APRIL 2019; Native species extinction? It doesn't have to be. Here's living proof. Read more: Media release
- 18 APRIL 2019; Quolls and possums continue to thrive in Ikara-Flinders Ranges. Read more: Online news
- 18 APRIL 2019; Western quolls make a surprising comeback to the South Australian outback. Read more: Online news
- 18 APRIL 2019; Re-introduced quolls and possums thrive in Wilpena. Read more: Online news
- 20 MAY 2020; Western Quoll and Brush-tailed Possum populations survive three-year drought & cat predation in northern Flinders Ranges 'remarkably well'. Read more: Media release
- 18 SEPTEMBER 2020; Quoll and Possums continue to thrive after three years of drought. Read more: Project update
- 24 DECEMBER 2020; Quoll-ity news to send you into Christmas! Read more: Project update
Photo Credit: Michael J Barritt
Follow our cause in saving Australia's endangered wildlife, and receive newsletter updates on the Safeguarding the Western Quoll and other projects and successes.