Century-long drought over as quolls thrive again

Quolls were once widespread in southeast Australia but farming and feral animals have taken a toll. (HANDOUT/Aussie Ark)

Previously extinct eastern quolls are scavenging and scouting the Australian mainland in numbers not seen for more than 60 years.

Researchers on Wednesday said 15 of the cat-sized marsupials were "thriving" after being released into a new feral-free mainland sanctuary on the NSW south coast.