Western Quolls thriving in Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park

We are always delighted when we can bring you good news. And, this Easter, I’m happy to be able to advise that repopulating the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia with Western Quoll (or Idnya) is going extremely well with the population now thriving and dispersing well beyond the initial release sites. 

As you know, this species was once widespread across the Flinders Ranges but had become extinct in the region for over a century. In partnership with the SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and SA Arid Lands, FAME’s funding over the past few years has now helped to establish a well-settled and thriving population of Idnya in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

So successful has this project been so far that a number of Idnya from that region’s population have now been translocated to the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park.

Our partner, DEW pleasingly reports that ‘the translocation of 25 animals to Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park in March 2022 had minimal impact on the Ikara population and we were able to move another 25 animals last month. As well, we have been able to assist a Taronga Zoo breeding program with an additional five Idnya.’

In all, there have been four Idnya releases in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park – the last less than a month ago. Radio-tracking last year indicated a good survival rate to date with no evidence of predation from cats, possibly because of the abundance of alternative prey in what was an exceptional year of rainfall. In total, 250mm of rain was recorded in the region in just five months.

The translocation and release of Western Quolls has been a key part of one of Australia’s longest running biodiversity programs called Bounceback. FAME is proud to be a key funding partner in this wonderful biodiversity effort for nearly 10 years.