An Australian farmer thinks he can catch a cat that’s been killing his chickens, but he’s surprised to find an endangered animal (Pao Ling Tsai)
In Australia, a farmer defending his chickens from attacks by a suspected cat spotted and temporarily captured a spotted-tailed quoll, a species believed to have been extinct for over 130 years in the south of that country.
The so-called tiger quoll killed one of Pao Ling Tsai’s birds, who managed to catch the rare specimen thanks to a trap he set in his garden. When the man approached to see what predator he had caught, he noticed a strange animal.
“I expected to see a cat, but I found this little animal. It was amazing! At first I didn’t know what it was,” he told ABC South East SA.
Although the tiger quoll managed to escape, the farmer contacted the South Australian Wildlife and National Parks Service, which set a trap, where they were able to capture the specimen, but they did not know if it was the same one. animal that entered the property. said Tsai.
Limestone Coast ranger Ross Anderson explained that the spotted-tailed quoll lives in other parts of Australia, but in the south of the country it has not been seen for more than 130 years, making this case a rare one. event.
“This is the first official record of that time period. There have been a few unofficial sightings, but no one has actually photographed an animal, or on hand, for a long time.” It’s amazing to have something we thought was lost show up at our back door,” Anderson said.
According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, the animal is endangered across the continent and vulnerable in Tasmania. In addition, it is estimated that only 14 thousand specimens remain in the wild.
Spot-tailed quoll caught by a farmer in Australia (Pao Ling Tsai)
The specimen obtained by the rangers was taken to the veterinarian, where it was treated for scabies and hair samples were taken to collect its DNA. Also, it is reported to be returned to nature.
Finally, Anderson expects them to use cameras and traps to determine if there are more specimens in the area, for research and protection purposes, so locals are prohibited from interfering with this process. .
