![Ready, set, go: The Aussie Ark team just prior to releasing the Eastern quolls into the fenced sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark Ready, set, go: The Aussie Ark team just prior to releasing the Eastern quolls into the fenced sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/shR26sqTFdeGBmx6G4p3AA/eb877cf0-6985-4f74-9ad8-329fa63ca1a3.JPG/r0_343_6720_4136_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Twenty eight Eastern quolls have been released into Aussie Ark's fenced wildlife sanctuary at the Barrington Tops in a program to rewild the area.
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Eastern quolls have been extinct on mainland Australia since the 1960s due to habitat fragmentation and predation from feral foxes, cats and domestic dogs.
Aussie Ark's fenced wild sanctuary provides refuge and a healthy habitat removed from feral predators.
The quolls are part of the not-for-profit conservation organisation's Eastern quoll breeding program, which now holds almost 90 individuals, a number that grows with every breeding season.
"Our ultimate goal is to bolster the Eastern quoll species' population and rewild the Barrington Tops. The release of these 28 individuals is a massive step in the right direction," Aussie Ark president, Tim Faulkner said.
The ideal conditions of a fenced sanctuary allow the species to thrive and therefore breed effectively.
![Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner at the Barrington Tops sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner at the Barrington Tops sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/shR26sqTFdeGBmx6G4p3AA/e229edc2-8c90-44e4-ae31-b874c1a2cec5.JPG/r0_0_6720_4480_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"By replicating the needed healthy and safe environment, I have hope of joeys being bred into our sanctuary" Mr. Faulkner said.
"These kinds of historic releases are the result of the impressive long-term vision and commitment of the Aussie Ark team," Global Wildlife Conservation, which supported this release, president, Don Church said.
![Keeper Max preparing Eastern quolls for release. Photo: Aussie Ark Keeper Max preparing Eastern quolls for release. Photo: Aussie Ark](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/shR26sqTFdeGBmx6G4p3AA/cff063fa-3b3c-4d58-8cb2-6f8cc2dcfb78.JPG/r0_597_6720_4390_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"By strategically reintroducing the right species in the right habitats, Aussie Ark is leading the way on rewilding Australia, restoring the ecosystems to their original state. This benefits not only the quolls, the ecosystems in which they live, and Australia, but helps ensure a healthier planet for all life on Earth."
Eastern quolls living at Aussie Ark's insurance population facility are heading into breeding season shortly and following the release of 28 individuals, the keepers have been busy moving quolls around in preparation for mating. Last year, the organisation's breeding record was broken with the birth of 51 quoll joeys. The organisation is confident that this year's breeding season will also be successful, and the organisation is excited for the future of Eastern quolls on mainland Australia.
![A released Eastern quoll living wild in the Barrington Tops sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark A released Eastern quoll living wild in the Barrington Tops sanctuary. Photo: Aussie Ark](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/shR26sqTFdeGBmx6G4p3AA/449ba583-6502-4ecc-b670-8b7329c499ed.JPG/r0_343_6720_4136_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
You can help Aussie Ark ensure a future for the Eastern quoll population by donating at aussieark.org.au.