Quolls are Australia's largest remaining native carnivores, facing population collapse from introduced predators, disease and cane toad poisoning across much of their range.
Quolls poisoned by cane toads die from cardiac arrest triggered by toad bufadienolides — the process is distressing and painful. Mange causes the same prolonged suffering in quolls as in wombats. Predation by foxes and cats causes acute trauma. The welfare interventions available — taste aversion training, predator-free sanctuaries, mange treatment — are all practically achievable and directly improve individual welfare alongside conservation outcomes.