Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, Dunoon and District Gazette

One of our most extraordinary patients this month was a spotted-tailed quoll, a species listed as threatened in NSW and endangered nationally.

The quoll was first discovered by a Pimlico resident who believed they had found a wild cat trapped in their chicken coop! Thankfully, experienced WIRES rescuer Emma Laird was called in to safely rescue the animal and quickly realised this was no ordinary patient.

For our team, it was a unique moment. Our General Manager Bronte, who has worked with wildlife for 19 years, had never encountered a spotted-tailed quoll before.

After a thorough health assessment, Dr Chantal Whitten was delighted to confirm the quoll was in excellent condition. The arrival of this very special patient even attracted the attention of 7 News Ballina, helping shine a spotlight on one of Australia’s most elusive native predators.

Working alongside Emma, Dr Chantal and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the team coordinated a plan to safely return him to the wild.

With a clean bill of health and a successful release, this rare visitor was soon back home where he belongs.

This article appeared in Dunoon and District Gazette, June-July 2026.