What's the plan?
About the program
The Gippsland Spot-tailed Quoll Recovery Program aims to identify the most effective pathway for the recovery of at-risk quoll populations in Gippsland.
Hosted by Biodiversity Legacy, the program received start-up funding from the Rendere Environmental Trust and Victorian Government via the Nature Fund grant program, which aims to increase non-government investment in biodiversity protection as part of Biodiversity 2037.
As this dynamic project progresses, Biodiversity Legacy will draw on its networks to create additional partnerships. The project also aims to bring in large-scale community support through additional philanthropic funding to continue into the next stage and beyond.
Multi-phased, cross-sector approach
This project is the first stage of a 10-year vision to create a flourishing Spot-tail Quoll population in East Gippsland and an ongoing threat mitigation program.
This project makes up the first stage, with foundational activities focused on identifying the best pathways for quoll recovery. The team will undertake critical planning and research to address the knowledge gaps limiting quoll recovery actions, including genetic assessments and species distribution modelling.
Stage 1
Threat mitigation, planning and research
Evaluation
Stage 2
Translocation to be determined from Stage 1
Evaluation
Stage 3
Populations boosted, cross border activities to be determined.
Evaluation
Key actions
Build capacity, support and knowledge
While there has been broad interest in STQ recovery across the sector, this project will create a groundswell of support and knowledge to initiate and work towards real conservation actions for the species.
It will act as a catalyst to drive action and engage leadership across sectors.
Building on existing relationships between Victorian and NSW government agencies, First Nations groups, captive breeding facilities and the private sector will further enable the identification and development of the best pathway forward for Spot-tailed Quoll recovery.
Partnerships with Odonata and Wildlife Unlimited, as well as existing relationships with private landowners in the upper Snowy Region and close working relationships with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Parks Victoria will provide an existing groundwork to achieve this.
Gather data
A camera monitoring program to gain a contemporary and comprehensive understanding of current wild STQ distribution and status in Gippsland.
The camera surveys will focus on the Upper Snowy known stronghold area, revisiting sites monitored in 2009/2016/2017/2020/2021 (Bluff, 2016; Nelson, 2007), as well as extending into areas of recent sightings and anecdotal records requiring further investigation.
A baited camera model will increase understanding of introduced predator (fox, cat) distribution in the landscape.
Understanding the genetic fragmentation of the STQ will provide insight into the likelihood of STQ persisting in the wild without management intervention (Kriesner & Weeks, 2023).
The project will also gather data to develop a comprehensive species distribution model by applying an ‘Evolutionary Conservation’ approach to inform conservation priorities. The project will look at two approaches that explicitly consider climate change, including past and contemporary records of the STQ. This model will directly inform future priority areas and translocation sites.
The data gathered during the project will provide vital knowledge to underpin future conservation actions regarding STQ in both east Gippsland and Victoria more broadly. Data, information and knowledge acquired during the project will support the development of a body of literature on the STQ and be available to any other research institute interested in the species in the future.
Develop a captive management document and explore a translocation strategy
The project will provide a rationalisation of appropriate recovery actions for the Spot-tailed Quoll based on information gathered via field surveys, genetic analysis and expert advice and the identification of threats and recommendations.
This process will culminate in the creation of two key documents - a captive management document and a translocation strategy. The captive management document will be based on an analysis of strategies to supplement the existing wild population and collaborate with captive breeding organisations.
It will investigate the steps, logistics and feasibility of supplying quality animals for release into the wild (partnerships, permits, timelines, funding, etc.) and use genetic assessment of wild and captive quoll populations to provide an overarching guide for captive breeding.
A translocation strategy will be developed to provide a clear pathway for obtaining source animals, identifying key breeding institutions, develop criteria for selection of translocation sites in the wild and prioritise areas suitable for future releases. The translocation strategy will provide a rationalisation of appropriate recovery actions for the STQ based on information gathered via field survey, genetic analysis, species distribution modelling and expert advice and include identification of threats and recommendations.
Due to the long-term nature of threatened species recovery, this translocation plan will be a living document, with to be updated approximately every five years.
Share learnings, build partnership and engage the community
Through engagement with Traditional Owners (TO), the project aims to engage in two-way learning to ensure the conservation activities delivered reflect TO priorities and visions and build First Nations capacity and involvement in quoll conservation.
Additionally, the project will deliver an educational webinar and field day aimed at informing local landholders about the importance of Spot-tailed Quoll conservation and any activities they can undertake to support conservation efforts.
As the project progresses the host organisation, Biodiversity Legacy, will draw on its networks to create additional
partnerships as required as this dynamic project progresses. The project also aims to bring in large-scale community support through additional philanthropic funding to continue into the next stage of the project and beyond into a multi-decade project.