A group of researchers in Australia is thrilled after their efforts to propagate the western quoll, or chuditch, have succeeded. These marsupial carnivores, once scattered across Australia, now survive only in small clusters in the southwest due to dramatic population declines since European settlement.

Recently, ecologists at the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary discovered a litter of newborn quolls, a milestone in their efforts to reintroduce the species to areas where it was previously extinct. “It’s clear that the researchers have succeeded,” as the animals appear to be thriving and reproducing.

Western quolls, about the size of a cat, play a vital role in controlling populations of smaller invertebrates, reptiles, and birds, contributing significantly to the ecosystem. The discovery of the thriving litter marks new hope for the species and highlights the success of conservation efforts at the sanctuary.