AssetID: 53131253
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Adorable Brother-Sister Pair Of Eastern Quoll Joeys Arrive At Australian Zoo
Caption: An Australian Zoo has welcomed two new additions - a pair of sibling Eastern quoll joeys. Jessie and James were born in the heart of Aussie Ark's Species Recovery Unit. Their story began with their mother, 'Quollar Eclipse,' who had a full pouch containing six precious young quolls. Unfortunately, Jessie and James became separated from their mother, and despite careful observation and waiting for her return, Aussie Ark staff made the heart-wrenching decision to intervene and take the orphaned joeys under their wing. Eastern quolls are known for their striking colour variations, coming in two distinct hues: fawn and black. In the case of Jessie and James, their mother was fawn, while their father was black, resulting in a litter with a captivating mix of colours. Jessie is a beautiful black female, and James is her charming fawn-coloured brother. These siblings entered the world in July, making them approximately three months old at the time of their rescue. Aussie Ark Wildlife Ranger, Tyler Lowe, has taken on the vital responsibility of raising Jessie and James. With his experience in nurturing young wildlife, Mr. Lowe eagerly accepted the challenge. "They have four bottle feeds a day, with one in the middle of the night," Mr. Lowe explained. "Because quolls are nocturnal, the joeys love that night feed. I'm not getting much sleep…but it's worth it! I'm in love with them, heart 'n' quoll!" The Eastern quoll, once a widespread species across Australia, has faced a devastating decline due to the predation of feral foxes and cats. In 1963, it was tragically declared extinct on the mainland, leaving a precarious future for the species, which now survives solely in the wilds of Tasmania. Aussie Ark has been at the forefront of efforts to reverse this decline, dedicating over five years to breeding and rewilding the Eastern quoll. Their commitment to saving the endangered species is unwavering, and they currently hold the largest insurance population of Eastern quolls anywhere in the world. Mr. Lowe expressed optimism about Jessie and James's future. He shared, "Jessie and James will one day return to the Species Recovery Unit and join the breeding program, bringing their lives full circle." This heartwarming endeavour underscores the vital role that organizations like Aussie Ark play in preserving Australia's unique and threatened wildlife.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,wildlife,Australian animal,conservation,animal
PersonInImage: