Ecologists at Mt. Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Australia have celebrated an extraordinary milestone: the birth of the first baby western quolls, also known as chuditch, at the site. During a routine survey, researchers discovered the tiny marsupials nestled safely in their mothers’ pouches — a clear sign that reintroduction efforts are paying off. For the conservation team, this moment was not just exciting but deeply symbolic of progress in restoring balance to Australia’s ecosystems.
Western quolls, about the size of a domestic cat, are agile nocturnal hunters that help regulate populations of smaller animals, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological health. Once widespread across mainland Australia, their numbers plummeted due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and human activity. Today, they survive in only a fraction of their original range, making each successful breeding event an important victory for conservationists.