Saving the Eastern Pygmy Possum

Dear Sir,

This month, the NSW Scientific Committee made a final determination to list the Eastern Pygmy possum as a vulnerable species. This means that the species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate. These threats include removal of habitat and predators such as cats and foxes.

The Eastern Pygmy possum is a small tree dwelling found in coastal areas and a high elevation in the south of NSW including the Southern Highlands. They are agile climbers that feed mostly on the pollen and nectar from banksias, eucalyptus and understorey plants and will also eat insects, seeds and fruits and live in tree hollows.

When I first moved to the Southern Highlands 23 years ago, it was not uncommon to see these tiny elusive possums in our forests. But then, there are lots of other native animals that were also seen on the Southern Highlands 23 years ago but rarely seen today. Animals such as glossy black cockatoos, gang gang cockatoo, broad headed snake, ground parrot, eastern bristlebird, tiger-quoll, brush tailed rock wallaby and the list grows.

In NSW alone over 40 animals and 40 plant species are considered extinct, 40 animals and 210 plant species endangered and over 160 animals and 200 plant species vulnerable. 50 percent of all the mammal species that have become extinct worldwide in the last 200 years occurred n Australia. Since 1788 around 125 plants and animals are known to have become extinct in Australia.

The main threat to our unique Australian wildlife is loss of habitat. Clearing in areas such as sub divisions results in the loss of areas for species to feed, shelter and nest. Native vegetation clearing and selective clearing can remove essential habitat.

There are various kinds of habitats, for example, grasslands (provide food and shelter for small birds, reptiles and butterflies; tree hollows about 20 percent of birds and 30 percent of mammals need nesting hollows; understorey shrubs provide nesting, protection and food for small birds and diversity of tree types provides a variety of food sources such as leaves, flowers, etc; bushrock provides shelter for snakes and other fauna. For example, the broad headed snake is endangered as a result of the loss of habitat through the removal of bushrock.

But go back to our latest casualty, the Eastern Pygmy possum and the factors threatening the survival of this possum. These include clearing that results in habitat loss of nectar producing understorey plants, the loss of nest sites such as tree hollows and predation by foxes and cats.

Tree hollows are an extremely important nesting habitat for 20 percent of our native birds and 20 percent of mammals including the Eastern Pygmy possum.

Most species of eucalyptus and other long lived native trees produce hollows. In general, gums and boxes tend to produce hollows more readily than stringybarks and ashes. Manna gum, mountain grey gum and yellow box are well known hollow producers. Generally, small hollows with narrow entrances suitable for small animals such as the Eastern Pygmy possum take about 100 years to form. Hollows of medium size and suitable for animals such as parrots will take around 200 years and for the larger size parrots such as glossy black cockatoo, they can take a lot longer.

To promote removal of our eucalypts such as was suggested in an article written in this paper recently is totally irresponsible and ill informed. This kind of advice increases the potential for other native fauna of the Southern Highlands to be added to the growing list of threatened species. To consider the decline of our beautiful parrots to this region is not an option.

On July 27 National Tree Day, plant a native tree and provide a home for Australian wildlife. If you cannot plant a tree then maybe plant a flowering shrub as a habitat for some of our smaller birds. These shrubs will provide protection, food and shelter from the larger more aggressive birds such as minors, starlings, currawongs and crows.

Or if you cannot plant a tree or shrub, then consider placing a nesting box in your garden. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a brochure outlining the design of a nesting box or you can purchase on locally. Contact our office at Fitzroy Falls on 4887 7270 for a copy.

Pat Hall

Manager

Education/Information/Tourism

National Parks and Wildlife Service