A concerning emergence of an unknown disease is impacting Western ringtail possums in Western Australia’s South West. This controversial scenario has many conservationists and wildlife professionals sounding the alarm. Our state agency, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), with the help of numerous volunteers has recorded over 85 incidences of this debilitating disease. It is leaving critically endangered animals blind and paralyzed. Experts worry this is just the tip of the iceberg, since many violations may happen undetected.
Western ringtail possums, with an estimated population of only 8,000 remaining in the wild, are already facing numerous threats to their survival. The emergence of this new disease has the potential to compound their vulnerability. Consequently, they can be especially vulnerable to predation, vehicle collision, and starvation.
The Nature of the Disease
The disease can result in very serious complications, including blindness and paralysis. Yet this dramatically limits the possums’ freedom to navigate through their world. Consequently, injured or displaced animals are more vulnerable to predators and vehicles.
For Dr. Natalie Bowskill, a wildlife veterinarian on the frontlines of treating these possums, it was maddening to have no treatment alternative. She stated, “Initially I felt like we had nowhere to send them, nowhere to continue their care, and we were euthanising them — and that’s where you’re left.” She added that even very young possums have been scorched, with “blind babies” in care right now.
Suzie Strapp, owner of WA’s Fauna Rehabilitation Network (FAWNA) said these fears. “The last thing they need is another threatening process on top of the ones that, unfortunately, cause them to be a critically endangered species,” she said. By now, the picture has not improved as FAWNA went over capacity as of 2024, leaving little room to help other animals in need.
Investigative Efforts Underway
Accordingly, in response to the crisis, researchers are doubling down on efforts to understand what exactly causes this disease. Dr. Anna Le Souef is currently leading the DBCA-side of this important collaboration. Specifically, they are looking into infectious agents but environmental and nutritional factors. “We’re looking at lots of different factors, including infection potential, infectious causes, environmental and nutritious factors,” she noted.
While we appreciate these efforts, the timeline for identifying and resolving the root cause is unclear at this time. Dr. Le Souef commented, “We’re making a big effort to find out the cause of this syndrome, but we don’t know how long it will take.” That uncertainty increases the urgency of the situation. The health of these possums has a direct impact on their already precarious population status.
Broader Implications for Wildlife
The consequences of this outbreak go beyond Western ringtail possums. As Suzie Strapp warned, this occurrence is a harbinger for other endangered species across the Midwest. “It’s a canary in a coal mine for other endangered species,” she remarked. The neglect paid to these emergent health issues, especially academia in terms of funding and research agendas, poses a greater challenge for conservationists.
Dr. Le Souef further noted that every little bit of adverse health impacts matters for species that are critically endangered. “This is a critically endangered species, so even small health issues can significantly impact the population,” she said.
