A Group finds unusually spiky creatures in nest – takes a closer look.
A group discovers some oddly spiky creatures in a nest and, upon closer inspection, their jaws drop in shock at the type of animals they are.
Exciting news has emerged for a species that was nearly lost forever! A team of researchers in Australia is celebrating what appears to be a successful effort in breeding this species. Recently, ecologists at the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary made an incredible find: a group of adorable, spiky newborns!
These creatures are quite special. They are known as “western quolls,” a unique type of carnivorous marsupial.
Historically, this species roamed widely across Australia, but with the arrival of European settlers, their numbers have significantly dwindled.
Today, western quolls, or chuditchs, are primarily located in the southwestern part of Australia, where they exist in small groups.
This marsupial reaches about the size of a domestic cat and is vital to the ecosystem, as it helps manage the populations of smaller invertebrates, along with some reptiles and birds.
New hope
Researchers have been diligently working over the last few months to bring marsupials back to the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, a place where they had previously vanished.
With the exciting discovery of baby marsupials, it’s evident that their efforts have paid off. The animals appear to be flourishing in their new home and are successfully reproducing.
“Regular monitoring shows that the quolls are thriving at the sanctuary, and finding the first pouch young is a great indication that they’ve adapted well to their surroundings,” shared Georgina Anderson, AWC Senior Field Ecologist.
“One quoll we’ve named Aang frequently visits the camera traps we’ve set up at the release sites. He’s one of our largest and most impressive quolls, with a vibrant personality – often making his rounds to gather the chicken we use as bait and causing a bit of mischief with our bait canisters,” she continued.
It’s truly heartwarming to witness such hope for the species! Here’s to hoping they can once again flourish across Australia!
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