Margolyes learnt of the quoll after she called on the Nature Conservation Trust (NCT), a not-for-profit organisation that works with private landholders to protect the environmental and cultural values on their land by applying in-perpetuity conservation agreements. Pleased to meet you: Actor Miriam Margolyes meets a threatened tiger quoll at Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside. Credit:Peter Rae "If, like me, you are not a primary producer you can get a tax rebate if you give your land in perpetuity for conservation via the trust. That's what I did and it's the best thing I've ever done," she said. "Ninety per cent of wild animals are on private land. We tend to think, 'let the national parks take care of wildlife, it's their business.' I think that's quite wrong."

Margolyes is one of a number of private landowners across NSW working with the NCT to maintain habitats on their property and protect threatened species. "It's become very clear that in terms of a loss of species, the loss of habitat is one of the primary problems," said Gary Wells, CEO of the NCT. "Obviously feral animals and weed infestations are problematic as well. But it's actually the loss of habitat and bush clearing that impacts a lot of animals adversely." Quoll researcher Andrew Claridge said there is no doubt the quoll is a species that is in trouble.

"The quoll occupies a large area. No one piece of land will necessarily support a quoll population. So we need as much land as possible under forest and woodland and you can't always find that on public land." As well as hunting for landowners, the NCT is raising money to support the purchase of land that is home to threatened habitats, via their "revolving fund", through which they purchase properties and apply the covenant, before selling them back in the marketplace. Mr Claridge said landowners working with the NCT were important friends for the endangered quoll. "Without a shadow of a doubt the most significant risk for the quolls are introduced predators like the red fox and feral cat. Not only do they compete for space, but critical resources, like dens and shelter sites." The tiger quoll is recognised by its head full of teeth and its rich, rufous-red coat of hair, which is speckled with white spots running from its neck to the tip of its tail.

In NSW around 59 per cent of all mammals are threatened with extinction: 40 per cent of all reptiles and 30 per cent of all birds. The new state government entered last month's election with plans to scrap acts protecting native vegetation and threatened species, after an external review recommended their repeal, while "reconstituting elements of them in a new 'Biodiversity Conservation Act". Mr Wells said the impact of any future legislation on threatened species still remains to be seen.



"The government has gone through quite an extensive consultation process, so from our point of view its wait and see till we get that legislation."