A northern quoll that was returned to the Tablelands in Queensland after it went on an accidental journey to Melbourne. Photo: Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
A family of endangered northern quolls went on a 5600 kilometre unplanned journey to Melbourne after catching a ride in a pumpkin container.
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The mother and her four babies were found in a vegetable box at the Melbourne Wholesale Market in Epping on December 13.
It’s believed the quolls entered the pumpkin container while at a farm in Far North Queensland and accidentally made the trip south along with vegetables.
They were checked over by Melbourne Zoo vets while officers from Victoria's Conservation Regulator found their original habitat near Cairns in Far North Queensland.
The quolls were flown back home to the sunshine state on January 5 where they were safely released back into the bush.
The endangered marsupials were lucky to survive the 5600km journey to Victoria, Queensland senior wildlife officer Dinouk Perera said.
“Northern quolls are native to tropical and sub-tropical climates across Australia and have adapted to thrive in warmer conditions, which means they are not built to live in a typically colder place like Melbourne,” Mr Perera said.
“These quolls are very lucky to have been rescued and taken into care, as they had travelled a long way without food or water.”
February is rabbit buster month and there are special deals on rabbit bait in the Kerang Lakes region.
Not a good year for some rabbits
While it’s the Chinese Lunar Year of the Rabbit, the North Central Catchment Management Authority and farmers across the region have a different rabbit at the front of their minds.
February is rabbit buster month, where organisations focus on promoting rabbit control strategies and practical action.
A key event is the one-for-one rabbit bait deal for Landcare groups or landholders in the Kerang Lakes region.
“The Kerang Lakes includes a number of internationally-significant and protected wetlands, and we work with the Victorian Government to help protect them,” North Central CMA project manager Amy Russell said.
“We’re offering locals a deal on a range of bait products to continue that work and help them keep on top of their rabbit control. It’s basically buy one, get one free on us.”
Locals can buy pindone oat bait, 1080 oat or carrot bait, and sterilised free feed products.
Pricing details and user permit requirements are available in the event section at www.nccma.vic.gov.au
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