In a significant move for Australian wildlife conservation, over a dozen eastern quolls have been successfully released into a feral-proof sanctuary on the New South Wales South Coast. This marks an important step in reintroducing these small, endangered marsupials, which have been absent from the local ecosystem around Nowra for 70 years. The release involved 15 quolls into the Bannockburn sanctuary, a collaboration between the not-for-profit organisation Aussie Ark and the University of Sydney’s Global Ecology Lab, who are spearheading the rewilding initiative.
Associate Professor Thomas Newsome from the University of Sydney emphasized the project’s focus on long-term research regarding the reintroduced eastern quolls. This includes in-depth monitoring using advanced methods such as very-high frequency (VHF) radio and GPS tracking, coupled with a network of 54 camera traps throughout the sanctuary. Additionally, quarterly cage trapping will provide vital data on the quolls’ behaviour and ecological impact, particularly their roles as predators and scavengers, and their contribution to nutrient recycling within the ecosystem.
This recent release follows a similar effort last year, where eastern quolls were placed in the adjacent Booderee Botanical Gardens. Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF Australia, highlighted that this initiative is not an isolated project but part of a broader national movement aimed at supporting wildlife rewilding efforts across the country.
The project also involved the participation of Jerrinja traditional owners, with tribal leader Ron Carberry reflecting on the deep cultural connections between his ancestors and the eastern quoll. He described the release as a momentous occasion, remarking, “What is happening today is a magnificent moment. It’s about healing country.”
Bannockburn now joins Booderee as part of the South East NSW Eastern Quoll Hub—a network of sanctuaries committed to implementing a genetic population plan to ensure the species’ long-term viability and health. As these initiatives unfold, they embody a growing commitment to restoring native wildlife and restoring ecological balance in Australia.