Northern quoll sightings vanish from Litchfield National Park after year of camera monitoring
Researchers and rangers in Litchfield National Park failed to spot a northern quoll during nearly 12 months of filming.
Failed search for native marsupial
A PhD candidate from the University of Melbourne set up 30 wildlife cameras to monitor the area. The team has not seen a single northern quoll despite operating the equipment for almost a year. Senior park ranger Darius Nasir noted that he last saw one four or five years ago.
Threats from invasive species
Ryan Sauermann believes feral animals like cats and cane toads have contributed to the population decline. The researcher had originally hoped to establish a captive breeding colony but now questions if the species remains in the region.
Concerns about local extinction
Ranger Nasir warned that continued decline could mean the team will not see these animals again. Sauermann stated the project has shifted from rewilding efforts to simply determining if the quoll is still around.
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