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EASTERN quolls could exist on mainland Australia for the first time in more than 50 years, under a reported new arrangement between the Tasmanian and New South Wales governments. Ten eastern quolls from Tasmanian animal sanctuaries are expected to be released in the Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, NSW, some time in the near future. The Tasmanian and NSW governments are believed to be close to striking a deal with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to have the animals transported. The trial release is expected to form part of a larger "rewilding" process to determine whether or not the species is ready to coexist with other animals again on mainland Australia. On Friday, the AWC said it would not comment on the program because the rewilding process had not been finalised. But a Tasmanian sanctuary owner, who The Examiner has chosen not to name, said two Tasmanian sanctuaries had agreed to donate five quolls each to the program. While the owner expects the program to be criticised, he considered the concept a positive step forward for the species. Another rewilding program is believed to be in the works between the Tasmanian and Victorian governments. On Friday, the Tasmanian government said it was unaware of any arrangements to have quolls transported interstate. Launceston Examiner

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