There’s reason to celebrate in Australia — a species once on the edge of extinction is making a comeback.

Ecologists at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary have discovered a litter of baby western quolls (also known as chuditchs),

marking a major breakthrough in the effort to reestablish the species in the wild.

Once widespread across Australia, western quolls all but vanished after European settlement due to habitat loss

and predators like foxes and cats. Today, they survive only in small pockets in southwestern Australia. About the

size of a domestic cat, these spotted marsupials play a vital ecological role by controlling insects, reptiles, and small birds.

The sanctuary’s reintroduction program began months ago, and the appearance of healthy pouch young confirms that

the animals are not only surviving — they’re thriving. “Encountering the first pouch young is a positive sign that

they’ve adjusted to the new environment,” said Georgina Anderson, Senior Field Ecologist at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Among the stars of the project is a bold male named Aang, known for stealing bait and making frequent rounds at camera traps.

His antics have made him a staff favorite — and a symbol of hope. This discovery signals that the western

quoll’s future is bright once again, offering Australia a rare conservation success story worth celebrating.