The Western Quoll is a carnivorous marsupial native to South Australia and, as predators, have important roles to play in the health of the ecosystem. Sadly, western quolls were became locally extinct due to a combination of invasive predators and extensive land clearing.
This program is part of the Safer Havens project across the Flinders, Gammon and Gawler Ranges national parks, comprising 11 projects.
EPBC:
VulnerableIUCN:
Near ThreatenedThreats:
Project Location:
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges, Flinders Ranges., SA
The Project
The mission to restore balance to South Australia’s northeastern ecosystems began with the first phase of this project ten years ago in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, representing one of the world’s most successful predator reintroductions.
With ongoing success, we now look to expand the Western Quoll reintroduction to South Australia’s regional northeast to create a robust population within the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges and, eventually, create a north eastern corridor.
Idnya, or the Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii), is a nocturnal hunter closely related to the more famous Tasmanian Devil, and feeds on various prey including birds, small mammals and insects. The Western Quoll had been absent from South Australia for more than 100 years before our successful reintroduction in 2014. As the top order predator in their habitats, they play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Western Quolls are threatened by a number of factors including invasive predators, habitat loss and road fatalities, but have proven to be very capable of establishing themselves when given the chance.
Due to existing and ongoing management programs for invasive cats, foxes and goats, large areas exist in the Gammon Ranges that have benefited from the recovery of native vegetation. This regeneration has created a complex, structural habitat which provides food species and appropriate shelter for the Western Quoll.
Working with DEW, this three year project will:
Reintroduce idnya to VGRNP using proven, best-practice methods.
Deploy intensive, targeted predator control integrated with the award-winning Bounceback Program.
Conduct scientific monitoring including camera trapping and DNA sampling to track success and adapt methods.
Engage local rangers and expert on-ground ecological partners throughout planning, release, and follow-up.
Map habitat and design climate-resilient corridors to connect with Ikara and support long-term population spread.
Strengthen genetic diversity across the emerging north-eastern biodiversity corridor.
The project has the support of the local Adnyamathanha men and women who will once again witness the return of their totems – the Idnya which are creation spirits of the Adnyamathanha Dreaming – to their natural habitat.
Creating Three Safer Havens
A master project in collaboration with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).
The aim of the project is to continue to develop and create three unfenced safer havens for the reintroduction of eleven (11) threatened and culturally significant species across three (3) national parks whilst maintaining habitats, increasing climate resilience and ensuring populations are nationally recognised in semi-arid South Australia.
Photo Credit: Michael J Barritt, Rob McLean
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