4 June 2024
Wildlife Queensland’s Quoll Seekers Network continues its search for northern and spotted-tailed quolls in South East Queensland. Although camera surveys failed to record any spotted-tailed quolls on five private properties in Logan West last year, the hunt continues on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Recognising quolls this Endangered Species Day
17 May is Endangered Species Day, a day to celebrate, learn about, and take action to protect threatened and endangered species. The spotted-tailed quoll, known locally as the tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), and the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) are both listed as endangered nationally and have become increasingly rare in Queensland. These carnivorous marsupials have suffered due to habitat loss, competition with other predators, and the impact of invasive species.
Quolls are notoriously tricky to spot in the wild and prefer dense vegetation and rocky outcrops. Wildlife Queensland’s Quoll Seekers Network (QSN) has employed various innovative methods to track these animals. These include baited remote cameras and teams of scent-detection dogs active across key areas in South East Queensland.
QSN installs camera traps in Hinterland
As part of a community survey project, project officers installed infrared cameras in remote sections of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s national parks these past few months. This area historically served as a thriving habitat for both quoll species. Today, however, the spotted-tailed quoll is rarely seen in coastal South East Queensland, and the northern quoll has not been recorded in the area since the 1990s.
“Confirming the presence of either of these two species would be an incredible discovery and would let us create specific plans to protect and grow their populations,” says Wildlife Queensland Projects Manager Matt Cecil.
The project, which spans six to eight large protected areas, also aims to involve the local community. Volunteers from the local area will assist with camera set-up, retrieval, and data analysis through a specially developed online platform. This collaborative approach helps raise awareness and encourages public reporting of quoll sightings.
Further community engagement is planned through two Quoll Discovery Day workshops. These events are designed to increase local knowledge about the quolls and the techniques used to study them, fostering a community that is well-informed and enthusiastic about local wildlife conservation efforts.
Funded by the Queensland Government Community Sustainability Action grant program, this initiative represents a crucial effort to preserve Queensland’s natural heritage. The ongoing commitment of QSN offers hope not only for the quolls’ survival but also for the broader biodiversity of the region.
New spotted-tailed quoll joins Alexandra Park Zoo
Mac the spotted-tailed quoll. Image: Alexandra Park Zoo
Mac the spotted-tailed quoll. Image: Alexandra Park Zoo
In further quoll news, a new resident has arrived at Alexandra Park Zoo in Bundaberg: Mac, a young spotted-tail quoll. Born in a breeding program at Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria, Mac joined Alexandra Park Zoo in March. Named after his scientific name, Dasyurus maculatus, Mac is a six-month-old quoll who already weighs 1.63 kg and could grow up to 5.8 kilograms like his father.
Mac is highly energetic and inquisitive, providing zoo visitors with an engaging display of his active nature. As a nocturnal carnivore, Mac enjoys a diet of rodents and quail, which aligns with his natural eating habits.
Mac’s presence at the zoo is crucial for educational purposes, as the species is native to the Bundaberg Region. The zoo staff are excited to have Mac and look forward to showcasing the different life stages and behaviours of this fascinating species. He follows in the footsteps of Crunchy, a former zoo resident who lived a long life of five years and five months.
With free entry, visitors can meet Mac at Alexandra Park Zoo from Wednesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The zoo is also open daily during Queensland school holidays.
What you can do
- Download the Landholders guide: Saving the Spotted-tailed Quoll.
- Learn more about Wildlife Queensland’s Quoll Seekers Network.
- Report a quoll sighting.
- Subscribe to our eBulletin Talking Wildlife to learn more about your local wildlife, plus Wildlife Queensland’s latest news, offers and events.