A new population of the endangered northern quoll has been discovered on an island in Western Australia's Kimberley region.
The marsupials were found on Molema Island in the proposed Horizontal Falls National Park.
"Northern quoll populations have declined sharply across most of their former range in northern Australia and islands such as Molema can provide refuge against mainland threats," WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob said.
"This discovery confirms the importance of reserving the area as marine and national parks, with the immense natural values of the internationally renowned Horizontal Falls still being discovered."
While there are populations of northern quoll on 11 other Kimberley islands, Molema Island has not previously been surveyed because it is difficult to access.
The survey team, including rangers representing the Worrarra traditional owners, travelled to the island and others nearby by boat and observed the fauna via surveillance cameras.
A quoll's diet includes other small mammals, so more than 100 droppings were collected to identify other species that may be on the islands.
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