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.

"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.

"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.

You can help Aussie Ark ensure a future for the Eastern quoll population by donating at aussieark.org.au.