Quolls caught on camera in Cullendore
Trent Forge 
On 17 October 2011 fellow Quoll Seeker James Hohenhaus and I deployed a handful of motion-triggered cameras on a property in the Elbow Valley/Cullendore area (approximately 25km southeast of Warwick), in an attempt to obtain some images of elusive spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus). This property is of particular interest as it lies almost adjacent to Cherrabah, which has recently been at the forefront of controversy due to a proposal to develop what locals have dubbed a ‘mini-city’; a mix of permanent resident and resort-style accommodation for up to 4000 people. 
Both Cherrabah and the property we surveyed were identified as quoll ‘hotspots’ by Stephanie-Meyer Gleaves, who studied the ecology and conservation of spotted-tailed quolls in southern Queensland as part of her PhD project.¹ Stephanie’s research suggested the Cullendore population was one of Queensland’s last remaining strongholds for the spotted-tailed quoll, and any localised impacts to this area (such as that proposed for Cherrabah) would have disastrous results for the species on a much broader scale.
Despite the significance of Stephanie’s research, the area has not hosted any quoll-related research since her last trapping efforts in 2006. We decided to carry out a pilot camera survey for quolls in response to growing concern from landowners who had not reported any recent sightings and feared the quolls were in decline. This opportunity also gave us the chance to circulate any potential images via social media channels in an attempt to generate public support for the opposition of the Cherrabah development.
 Despite a number of camera malfunctions, our baits being stolen by scores of Torresian crows (Corvus orru) and unfavourable weather conditions, our cameras successfully photographed two separate individuals. Both quolls were large adults and seemed to be in excellent health, confirming that the animals are still persisting in Cullendore and should be subject to immediate conservation measures. Other species photographed included dingo (Canis lupus dingo), lace monitor (Varanus varius), northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) and yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes).
I encourage everyone to read a summary of Stephanie’s research, written by Mark Simpson, and sign the online petition requesting the federal government to reject the proposed Cherrabah development.
If you or anyone else you know have quolls on your property please contact the Quoll Seekers Network.
Special thanks to Stuart and Wendy Bell for their generosity, participation and support throughout this survey.
¹ Meyer-Gleaves, S. (2008). Ecology and Conservation of the Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) in Southern Queensland. PhD thesis, Griffith University.
New research underway to help save the northern quoll
Hannah Pusey, PhD candidate at Deakin University Melbourne is undertaking research to assess the reasons for decline of the northern quoll. In particular, this project aims to evaluate the impacts of the cane toad on the northern Queensland (QLD) quoll populations. Hannah is working in collaboration with Australian Wildlife Conservancy to generate information to better inform future quoll management practices. This project will compare quoll populations in toad affected (northern QLD) and non-toad affected areas (Kimberley). It will specifically examine dietary preferences across their range and in particular, if quolls have learnt to avoid eating all amphibians as a response to the toad. Habitat use and whether quolls are retreating to areas with lower toad abundance will also be studied.
Call for volunteers
The success of this project relies heavily on the participation of volunteers to assist in fieldwork. Fieldwork includes trapping quolls, attaching GPS collars, toad abundance surveys, scat collection and more. Being a volunteer is a fun and rewarding experience for anyone who is passionate about Australian wildlife and enjoys spending time in the bush. Volunteers are needed for fieldwork in northern QLD and the Kimberley’s throughout 2012.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Hannah on 0400 224 302 or email hpusey@deakin.edu.au
Field Survey updates
Looking out for Quolls in Logan
Alina Zwar
There is growing evidence to suggest quolls are persisting in the Logan area, but continual threats from residential development and road construction, further reducing and fragmenting their habitat, could see them gone forever. Two quoll road kills were found, one in 2004 on the off-ramp of Centenary Highway, Carole Park and the other in 2006 on the Mt Lindesay Highway, just south of the Carter Rd intersection. Both were found by a WPSQ member Ivell Whyte who resides in the area and volunteers countless hours in conducting surveys and liaising with the community in search of them. This led to a comprehensive survey conducted by Dr. Scott Burnett, Ivell, and Anne Page which included camera and hair tube traps, community events and a mail-out to 600 residents. There were a total of 31 sightings at 26 locations. Also 2 quoll scats were found at Jerry’s Downfall received between 2001 and 2006. More recently a total of at least 7 sightings have been reported and the search continues to catch one on camera.
The Logan City Council provided a grant this year for a 3 year research program for QSN to conduct comprehensive surveys and community awareness campaigns such as the recent Quoll Discovery Day in Greenbank. Rebecca Condon from the council’s Environment Department deployed cameras for the last few months in hot spots picked up during a dog detection survey conducted with Dr. Scott Burnett and Amanda Harris from the Saddler Springs. Further cameras have been deployed by Ivell Whyte and Ted Fensom in locations where there is crucial connecting habitat for quolls. It is hoped that in the near future if a quoll can be caught on camera, it will be invaluable in aiding their protection, provide the evidence to assist in management plans and strategic solutions to by-pass their habitat.
Read more about the project and watch the QSN webpage for updates.
Who is Alina?
Wildlife Queensland welcomes Alina Zwar who has recently joined as project officer for Quoll Seekers Network. Alina is here at head office in Brisbane each Thursday – she is currently planning the field survey program for 2012, answering enquiries about quolls and following up sighting reports.
If you’d like to contact Alina, her email is quoll@wildlife.org.au or phone 07 3221 0194.
Far North Quoll Seekers Network (FNQSN)
Luke Jackson
Most recent interesting sighting we have is a northern quoll living at the Lotus Glenn Correctional Centre. No more news as yet - perhaps it 'escaped' in the end. We also had a recent sighting of a spottie in the daintree - this was really suprising. Despite the fact we know they live in the area, sightings are extremely rare - we only get a spottie sighting out of that area once every few years. So its great to hear they are still surviving in the daintree rainforest lowlands.
Mt Emerald wind farm is a hot topic in the north. Whilst installing the wind turbines and building a road will have a short term impact and may kill and displace northern quolls, at least in the longer term the land is protected from other uses such as more intensive development.
Glenn Kvassay was interviewed for the local paper and stated that the northern quoll is still quite commonly seen in the Mareeba and Tablelands area. 'They are quite used to human habitats and even nest in people's sheds', said Glenn.
For more information about Wildlife Queenalnd's views on the wind farm, go to our website.
For all the latest FNQSN news, see the Spot Tales newsletter.
North Queensland update
Byron Kearns
We undertook a field investigation of the population on t he Northern Quoll in the foothills surrounding Alligator Creek, 30min south of Townsville. Motion sensing cameras were set up on chicken carcasses tied to trees and left for 3-5 days. Of the six sites we didn’t manage to capture any quolls taking the baits, however we found there to be a healthy population of the giant white tailed rat (Uromys caudimaculatus), who managed to scale trees and perform great acrobatics in the task of devouring our bait.
 This quoll was caught in a cat trap in West End, Townsville and released into the local hills. It was believed by the owner of the trap that the quoll may have arrived in equipment which had come up from an event at the Burdekin area around Ayr.
If you’d like to get involved
in quoll surveys in the Townsville region, contact Byron Kearns. |
We are still receiving enquiries from people who think they may have heard a spotted tailed quoll but don’t know what they sound like. Here — have a 
Have you seen this beautiful children's book by renowned northern territory author and artist Sandra Kendell? 
Thanks to Liz, Neil and Gwyneth from the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland and everyone who attended Mareeba Wetlands for a Quoll Discovery evening on 3 September 2011 - and for your patience in helping us set up our cameras!