Conservation researchers have found an incredible new population in New South Wales. They were able to verify that Leadbeater’s Possum, a species rumored extinct in the state, still exists! This tiny marsupial is only around 120 grams in weight—about the same as four punnets of margarine. Since its rediscovery in Victoria in 1961, it has served as a potent symbol of conservation efforts in Australia. The recent discoveries have led to outcry and immediate demands for increasing protection measures. Their social structure, where they inhabit colonies of up to 12 individuals, makes saving these critically endangered species all the more important.
For decades, Leadbeater’s Possum has fought a fight against extreme pressures from habitat destruction. Its small populations in Victoria are equally challenged by declining genetic diversity. Fewer than 100 remain in the wild, and today, the Healesville Sanctuary has 31 of them under captivity as their conservation breeding program works to increase genetic diversity. Conservation experts think that one sub-species of the possum in Victoria has just 30-40 individuals left. This staggering projection should call into question its long-term sustainability.
Recent findings of the species in Kosciuszko National Park, well away from previously known habitats, have ignited newfound hope and excitement. This urgency elevates the importance of the need to save Leadbeater’s Possum. Fred Ford, one of the researchers involved in the discovery, emphasized the significance of confirming the species with experts before making any announcements.
“You can confuse these guys with sugar gliders if you’re not looking for them… until getting it confirmed by David Lindenmayer and Dan Harley as the species experts that have been working on these things for decades, because it’s just too good to be true.” – Fred Ford
ANU Ecologist Professor David Lindenmayer has spent three decades researching Leadbeater’s Possum. The most striking grassland creature to capture is that unique long-tailed curious little animal—the black-tailed prairie dog! He explained how their colonies are so well structured that they’re ruled by vocal intelligence, with adults producing distinct alarm calls that warn of predators in the area.
“So the alarm call sounds like this. I’ll mimic it for you. It goes ******* and it’s made by adult animals in a colony. So Leadbeater’s Possum lives as a colony of up to 12 individuals.” – David Lindenmayer
The sanctuary’s breeding program has been pivotal in enhancing the prospects for Leadbeater’s Possum. According to Darcy Watchorn, another representative from the sanctuary, helping to create genetic diversity is essential to the species’ survival. After years of being thwarted by dangerous predators such as feral cats, a string of successful breeding seasons reignited hope.
“Since 2012, the zoo established a conservation breeding programme looking to improve both the rate of breeding and also the genetic diversity of the species,” – Darcy Watchorn
Conservationists have been fighting tooth and nail to protect Leadbeater’s Possum from degrading habitat and predation on the endangered marsupial. They must urgently begin to address how environmental management practices affect these critical habitats. Watchorn emphasised that knowing the effects of fire management and predator control on possum populations is essential for their persistence.
“We know that we need to think about how we’re burning when we’re burning and what we do after a burn or after a wildfire…that they’re protected as much as we can from those sorts of threats.” – Darcy Watchorn
The newly researched population in New South Wales is a double-edged sword. This exciting discovery grants us a rare glimpse into this enigmatic species’ genetic diversity, social structure, and reproductive behaviors. Conservation experts fear its ability to derail existing protection efforts in Victoria could be the final straw.
“I think it’s quite important to really highlight that their discovery in New South Wales really shouldn’t have any impact on the conservation actions that are underway for the Victorian populations because those threats are so perverse and the population is so imperilled.” – Darcy Watchorn
