FOOTAGE has confirmed the successful breeding of eastern quolls in Canberra following their reintroduction earlier this year. 

The breeding began in March where 14 eastern quolls were released and now footage shows baby quolls exploring Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary.

Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman says: “It is fantastic news that young eastern quoll litters are being raised at Mulligans Flat.

“The species was once widespread through the region but eventually became locally extinct due to land clearing, grazing, introduced predators and control programs.

“Researchers are currently in the field catching the baby quolls to ascertain exactly how many there are, but trapping to date and captured footage suggest there may be over 25.”

The project was the first transfer of wild quolls directly from Tasmania into the mainland. It was funded through Australian Research Council Linkage, a research partnership between the ACT Government, Australian National University and James Cook University.

Other major partners in the project are the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and the Environment, the Mt. Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust.

 ANU’s Fenner School of Environment and Society, professor Adrian Manning says: “The aim is not only to establish a robust population at Mulligans Flat, but also to undertake science to find the best ways to maximize the success of reintroductions elsewhere on the mainland in the future.”

Footage of the eastern quoll litter and information via mulligansflat.org.au