The Bulahdelah Plain Wetland Reserve acquired by MidCoast Council for the protection of water quality in the Myall Lakes system continues to delight environmental staff with amazing wildlife discoveries – this time camera surveillance has revealed the presence of a rare and endangered species, the spotted-tailed quoll.

“Following the discovery of a population of the rare long-nosed potoroo on the Reserve in 2015, we installed motion-activated cameras to continue to monitor the area’s biodiversity,” said Council’s Environmental Officer (Great Lakes), Peter Goonan.

“We analysed last month’s footage from the cameras and have found images of a spotted-tailed quoll on the Reserve, said Peter Goonan.

Like the long-nosed potoroo, the spotted-tailed quoll is threatened with extinction in New South Wales.  It is very rare and has been heavily-impacted by habitat loss, modification and fragmentation.

Council’s Senior Ecologist (Great Lakes), Mat Bell said ,”It is an exciting discovery and once again proves the value of Council’s wetland management program, not only for water quality protection but for broad biodiversity conservation benefits.”

“On the same camera that captured the images of the potoroo and quoll, we also picked up images of a wild dog and a fox.  These introduced pest animals compete with quolls for food and shelter,” Mr Goonan said.

Controls on pest animals are planned this month to assist the quolls survival in the Reserve, as well as to protect other native wildlife and adjacent landholders’ stock.

MidCoast Council will continue to monitor the wildlife in the Reserve in the hope of more wildlife surprises in the future.

A short video of the Quoll in the Bulahdelah Plain Wetland Reserve is available on Council’s facebook site, News Of The Area will link to it from our website also.