Once widespread across Australia, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii) nearly vanished due to habitat loss, invasive predators, and human development. But at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Australia, conservationists have confirmed a major milestone: the birth of pouch young in the wild—a key sign the species is establishing itself again.

By the 1960s, quoll numbers had dropped below 2,000 and were confined to a few small areas. In response, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) launched a reintroduction project at Mt Gibson, equipped with predator-proof fencing, restored habitat, and intensive monitoring. Between 2021 and 2023, 40 quolls were released following health checks and GPS collaring. In May 2025, researchers spotted a female, nicknamed Aang, with tiny pouch young—marking the first recorded wild births at the site.