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Spotted-tailed quoll moments before its release - they are a threatened species in Queensland
A spotted-tailed quoll has been released back into habitat after being discovered by a member of the public in mangroves overhanging the Brisbane River.
After the endangered marsupial was spotted on 18 June 2024, the concerned member of the public called the RSPCA.
At the RSPCA's Wacol facility, the spotted-tailed quoll underwent an examination by Dr Tim Portas, the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Veterinary Director.
"On examination, we found that it had a slight injury to the tip of its tail and some minor skin lesions," Dr Portas said.
"There was some surgery performed to repair the wound to the tail, and some treatment given for dermatitis, and the quoll has since made a full recovery."
On Thursday 25 July 2024, the animal was released into a national park near Warwick, which is known habitat for spotted-tailed quolls.
Senior Wildlife Officer Cameron Wregg said the quoll sped out from the cage, and the successful release of the animal into the wild was an excellent outcome.
"The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation 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 know members of the public might feel that temptation to try and provide care for native wildlife, but in this instance, they did the right thing for the animal.
"Like all our native wildlife, spotted-tailed quolls require specialised care by experienced veterinarians or wildlife carers.
"We would like to thank the RSPCA for their specialised care of the quoll, which showed clear indications that it was not habituated to people.
"Wildlife officers do not know how the quoll came to be in Brisbane, but we don't believe it was being kept as a pet because it exhibited wild behaviour.
"It may have been a stowaway on a truck or in someone's camping equipment, then been deliberately or accidentally released.
It's a reminder that wildlife encounters can happen anywhere, including in our backyards, and native animals should be rehabilitated by experts.
"Protecting native wildlife is a core responsibility of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and we want to injured or sick wildlife to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
"Anyone who finds sick, injured or orphaned wildlife should call 1300 ANIMAL immediately.
"Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, people who rescue native wildlife have 72 hours to hand the animal over to the RSPCA, a veterinarian or a registered wildlife carer."
Spotted-tailed quoll fast facts:
- Their habitat is forests, woodlands and heath
- Their range is from Tasmania through Victoria, New South Wales and as far as central Queensland
- Of the four species of quoll, they are the only species with white dots on their tail – hence their name
- They are nocturnal, and feed on birds, reptiles and other mammals
- Their main threats are feral cats, foxes and habitat destruction
