Save the Tiger Quoll

We woke up to kangaroos outside our window. We’re currently staying in the Great Ocean Ecolodge, an ecology research station along the Great Ocean Road which is finding ways to conserve the indigenous plant and animal species of Australia. One of those ways is to take in paying guests, give them really good food, and take them on bush walks to show them the species they are trying to save.
As a result, last night the family and I found ourselves hand feeding sugar gliders, a small marsupial similar to a flying squirrels, while potoroos snuffled around our feet like fat, furry hedgehogs. Potoroos are great. They are essentially kangaroos the size of a guinea pig and the shape of a large shrew. They also, it turns out, like having their backs rubbed and their legs tickled.

One of the reasons for coming to Australia is the wildlife. There’s no point going to a new country if it’s just like staying at home. While we were in the city, there was a strong feeling that it was just like being in Britain, or America, but with different accents. Now we’re out on the road, the differences couldn’t be more evident. We’ve had cockatoos and parrots flying over our heads while we stood looking at a vast blue ocean, Eucalyptus towering over us as we drove through winding tree lined lanes, and piebald Australian magpies on every fencepost. Yesterday, I saw a large object by the side of the road which turned out to be a koala, out of the trees and staring myopically at the passing cars. Naturally, I hit the breaks so we could get out and stare back.

The species they are most concerned with saving here is the tiger quoll, a relative of the Tasmanian devil, who we also met yesterday. He’s a charismatic and inquisitive creature who is at the top of his food chain and yet appears to be going the way of his Tasmanian cousin. The ecologists here have an ingenious way of saving him however. They’re selling beer. Every time you drink one of their beers, the money goes to research into how to rescue this rare and curious species.
Naturally, I want to help. And if drinking beer is what it takes, then join me in a glass and together we’ll do all we can to save the tiger quoll.