A major milestone has been achieved in wildlife conservation efforts in New South Wales as a western quoll joey, affectionately known as the chuditch, has been born in the wild. This event is particularly significant given that the species was once extinct in the region, with no known births in the wild for over a hundred years. Conservationists have been working diligently since the reintroduction of the western quoll into Sturt National Park, a vast area equivalent to 11,000 football fields, launching this ambitious project aimed at restoring the species' presence in its native habitat.

Vincent Hamilton, an Indigenous trainee zoo keeper, discovered the baby quoll while conducting checks on trapping devices. Initially thinking he had caught a golden bandicoot, his surprise at finding a healthy, untagged baby western quoll symbolizes the potential for recovery and resilience of the species in native environments. This success story underscores the effectiveness of the conservation program that has focused on creating conducive environments for breeding and sustaining wildlife populations that once thrived in the area.

The implications of this event are crucial, as conservationists plan to continue monitoring the population and introduce more quolls into the wild to expand their numbers and genetic diversity. As these efforts unfold, they not only aim to repopulate the species but also to enhance ecological balance and promote biodiversity in the region. The resurgence of the western quoll highlights the critical role of targeted conservation programs in reversing declines of native species and restoring Australia’s unique wildlife heritage.