Northern quolls in Western Australia's Pilbara region may be learning to avoid toxic baits aimed at decimating feral cat numbers, according to researchers.

The small carnivorous marsupials were once abundant in northern Australia, but introduced species such as the cane toad and the feral cat have wreaked havoc on their populations.

PhD candidate at Charles Darwin University Billy Ross has been monitoring the feral cat and quoll populations at pastoral stations near the mining town of Pannawonica.

He said the endangered species falls right within the size range for feral cat prey.

"Feral cats have had a devastating impact on native fauna across Australia, particularly small mammal species," Mr Ross said.

'They learn very quickly'

Last year, 61,000 Eradicat baits were dropped over a 145,000-hectare area at Yarraloola Station.

A feral cat is caught on the Department of Parks and Wildlife camera. ( Supplied: Department of Parks and Wildlife )

Follow up research showed the baits had no negative effect on the quoll population, even when the animals came into contact with them.

Russell Palmer, a research scientist at the Department of Parks and Wildlife, said the quolls may be learning to avoid the baits.

"Camera trap data set up to monitor the Eradicat baits show the quolls did actually see the baits," he said.

"What we think happens is that the northern quolls sample the toxic baits and they learn very quickly from the bad experience from eating them, but the experience is non-lethal so they survive.

"After that they don't touch anymore baits so you can basically train them not to eat baits."

Mr Ross said the Pilbara was a crucial habitat for the marsupial.

"The Pilbara is a very important place for the northern quoll, being the last cane toad-free spot where they occur," he said.

"Here there is an abundance of rocky refuge areas and mesas and rocky escarpments.

"This provides a safe location for species like the northern quolls to forage and find shelter safely."

Another round of baits will be deployed in July, with the project expected to be continued for another two or three years.

Mr Palmer said it could be rolled out to other semi-arid environments if the quoll population remained unaffected.

"We're hoping the quolls can then move out into the more open country which is currently the domain of the feral cats," he said.