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Conservation organisation Aussie Ark and the ������ have collaborated on a science-based reintroduction of eastern quolls on mainland Australia into a controlled bushland environment near Nowra.

The two organisations released 15 endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) into a 68-hectare feral-proof site, on the Scots College’s property near Nowra on the NSW South Coast. Jerrinja Traditional Owners also partnered the project, with tribal leader Ron Carberry, among others, attending the event and conducting a Welcome to Country.

It is the first time the eastern quoll has been released on this site; a significant step towards rewilding for a species is otherwise extinct on mainland Australia. 

The ������’s Global Ecology Lab in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences manages the project, headed by Associate Professor Thomas Newsome with project lead Dr Patrick Finnerty and on-the-ground research conducted by PhD student Pat Bragato. 

Associate Professor Newsome said the priority is to undertake long-term scientific research to better understand how to bolster the success of eastern quoll rewilding. This will involve intensive post-release monitoring, including the deployment of very-high frequency (VHF) radio and global positioning system (GPS) tail transmitters, camera observation with a network of 54 camera traps across the site, and quarterly cage trapping to collect data. 

“This long-term research project provides us with a wonderful opportunity not only to establish a meta-population of eastern quolls on mainland Australia but also deep-dive into the ecology of the species,” Associate Professor Newsome said. 

“We need to better understand the quolls’ role in an ecosystem from which it has been absent from for almost 70 years.

“This includes understanding its impact as both predator and scavenger, and its role nutrient-recycling within a landscape.”

The Scots College Bannockburn has been modelled on Aussie Ark’s 400-hectare feral-proof , where 10 of the eastern quolls released at Bannockburn were born and bred.

Aussie Ark Operations Manager said these quolls were in top health. 

“The release is another powerful step toward one day rewilding the eastern quoll to the mainland of Australia,” Mr Reid said. “It follows last year’s historic release of our Eastern Quolls into Booderee Botanical Gardens, when Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek personally released one of our quolls.”

Alongside Booderee, Bannockburn now joins the SE NSW Eastern Quoll Hub; a network of sanctuaries participating in a genetic metapopulation management plan to ensure the long-term genetic and demographic health of eastern quoll populations in feral-free areas.

The ������’s Dr Finnerty said: “The Bannockburn release is an important step in exploring a multi-faceted approach to improving the success of ‘beyond-the-fence’ rewilding of the eastern quoll.”

It’s an ambition that captures the mind and heart of Jerrinja tribal leader Ron Carberry, who reflected on a time not so long ago when his ancestors walked on Country with this “magic little animal”.

“What is happening today is a magnificent moment,” Mr Carberry said. “It’s about healing Country.”

About the ������ Global Ecology Lab

The Global Ecology Lab in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the ������ seeks to understand how humans and wildlife shape and drive ecosystem processes. Much of our work is focused on wildlife that act as important ecosystem engineers, especially large carnivores and scavengers. Our work provides solutions to the challenges of wildlife conservation and management in a rapidly changing world.

More information Sydney Global Ecology Lab.

About Aussie Ark

Aussie Ark is a leader in breeding and rewilding some of Australia's most endangered species. As a not-for-profit organisation, Aussie Ark raises the necessary funds to continue its ambitious vision through donations, sponsorships and partnerships. Investment allows for the construction of captive facilities and predator-proof fencing on semi-wild parcels of land. 

More information at