The eastern quoll was reintroduced to mainland Australia on Tuesday, March 13, first time in more than five decades.

The World Wildife Fund (WWF) moved 20 of the species from Tasmania to Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, in southern New South Wales.

Conservationists blamed foxes, disease and habitat destruction for the demise of the native species more than 50 years ago. Eastern quolls are a predator to smaller animals such as rats, mice and insects. “By returning eastern quolls to the mainland, we can restore some ecological balance – and slow down the terrifying rate of mammal extinction in this country,” WWF Australia said.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the release was the first time an extinct carnivore had been reintroduced into the wild in mainland Australia r Credit: WWF Australia via Storyful