Spotted Quoll patient a rescued rarity

In June, our Rescue Team attended a call for help about a spotted-tailed quoll found in mangroves overhanging the Brisbane River at Teneriffe. Quolls are not native to the CBD, so it was a very unusual marsupial to spot.

This little quoll evaded capture but, after some patience, our Rescue Team managed to contain and return it to our Wildlife Hospital for a check-up.

Dr Tim Portas, our Wildlife Veterinary Director says, "On examination, we found that it had a slight injury to the tip of its tail and some minor skin lesions, so there was some surgery performed to repair the wound to the tail, and some treatment given for dermatitis."

Quolls are a rare patient for us due to their natural habitat being closer to forests in southern Queensland, Townsville, and Cooktown. They are now classed as an endangered species.¹ This quoll’s story is a reminder that wildlife encounters can happen anywhere, including our own backyards, and native animals should be rehabilitated by experts.

Following a brief period of recovery at our Eumundi Rehabilitation Centre, the Quoll was ready for release.

On July 25, the quoll was released into a national park near Warwick, which is known habitat for spotted-tailed quolls.

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) Senior Wildlife Officer Cameron Wregg says, “DESI would like to thank the member of the public for calling the RSPCA and not attempting to capture or care for the animal themselves,” Mr Wregg said.

“We would also like to thank the RSPCA for their specialised care of the quoll, which showed clear indications that it was not habituated to people.”

Once widespread in Queensland and other states, habitat loss has been the main cause of quoll population decline. They are also under threat from foxes, feral cats, bushfires, and road strikes.

A joint report RSPCA Queensland published with Greenpeace Australia exposed the alarming scale of wildlife being killed yearly in Australia courtesy of deforestation.

The new report revealed 100 million native animals are displaced, harmed, or killed from deforestation in Queensland and New South Wales every year - a figure that is double previous estimates.

From 2016 to 2021, 2.4 million hectares of forest and woodland habitats were bulldozed or cleared in Queensland and New South Wales - over twice the size of greater Sydney.

Dr Tim Portas says,“Unfortunately, a significant proportion of the 24,000 wildlife patients admitted annually to our wildlife hospital are a result of the long-term and ongoing effects of habitat destruction and fragmentation.”

Swift action must be taken by the Government to ensure we end the extinction crisis we are currently experiencing.

Be a voice for wildlife. Sign our petition and join the call to end deforestation. Together we can ensure a future for our native animals in the wild.

The important work done daily by our expert wildlife and rescue teams is only possible thanks to generous donations and community support. While we endeavour to provide professional care for every animal admitted to us, our facilities are functioning well above their capacity and our staff and volunteer resources are stretched.

We must come Together for Wildlife to uphold the future welfare of wildlife across the state. By donating towards a new, state of the art Wildlife Hospital and Centre of Excellence, you are helping us make a difference to all creatures great and small. Why not donate today? Every dollar brings us closer to our goal of being able to expand our capacity to care. 

If you find a sick or injured animal, contact the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625). Our RSPCA Animal Emergency Hotline can offer advice over the phone. Our Rescue Officers may be able to attend via an RSPCA Rescue Unit to rescue the animal, if equipped and in the area.

Sources:
^1. EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna