Mountain pygmy-possum bouncing back in the Snowy Mountains

The critically endangered mountain pygmy-possum is showing signs of recovery in Kosciuszko National Park, with 107 marsupials found at a single site – the highest on record.

78 were females and most had four young in their pouch, which is the maximum number that can be accommodated in a pouch. They weighed between 30 and 40 grams.

Prior to the 2019-2020 summer bushfires, Kosciuszko National Park had an estimated 1,000 possums in two main population areas. Drought had led to a decline in their main food source, bogong moths, and in 2020, fire decimated their habitat at all northern sites of the park. This resulted in the population dropping to around 700 animals.

To save the remaining population, Saving Our Species Program Threatened Species Officers and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) launched an emergency project to supply ‘bogong bickies’ and water at the northern sites. The recipe for the biscuit was created by NPWS staff and volunteers, with the assistance of students from schools including Berridale Public School, Cooma Public School, Adaminaby Public School and Jindabyne Central School in the NSW Snowy Mountains.

These feeding efforts have resulted in the record number of possums being trapped and assessed at the largest boulder field in the park, Snow Ridge Hill. It’s believed the population across the two main sites is now more than 940.

The count of possums was led by Dr Linda Broome, who has dedicated nearly half her life to securing a future for this little marsupial. Dr Broome was assisted by NPWS staff and volunteers.

While the results of the latest count are very positive, this is just one site, and the road to recovery for this marsupial is ongoing. In contrast, some unburnt sites in the park’s south showed below average numbers of female possums, despite good bogong moth numbers. It is hoped these numbers will recover in time with favourable conditions.

This coming winter, skiers and snowboarders can support the conservation of the mountain pygmy possum in Kosciusko National Park by staying out of the closed habitat at Blue Cow, where numbers are still low.

The Minns Labor Government is protecting a range of native species in Kosciuszko National Park by removing invasive animals, including more than 6,400 wild horses. Wild horse control has occurred in areas where mountain pygmy-possums are known to live.

Quote attributable to Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“It’s wonderful to see the population of mountain pygmy-possums showing signs of recovery thanks to important conservation work. Thank you to Dr Linda Broome and the National Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers who are working hard to protect this precious animal found nowhere else in the world.

“The mountain pygmy-possum perfectly illustrates the natural biodiversity in Kosciuszko National Park the Minns Labor Government is working hard to protect from climate change and predation.”

Quote attributable to Member for Monaro, Minister Steve Whan:

“It’s great news that this local, iconic species is bouncing back after the catastrophic fires that affected our community five years ago.

“The bogong bickies, made by local school students who are passionate about helping to save this species, clearly made a critical contribution to the survival of this species by imitating the nutritional value of this species’ natural food source, the bogong moth. These students should be proud of their significant contribution helping this species survive.”

Quote attributable to Dr Linda Broome, Threatened Species Officer with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:

“It is heartening to see mountain pygmy-possum numbers thriving again following the devastation of the 2019-2020 summer bushfires.

“Their resilience, combined with the dedication of NPWS and SoS teams, has been critical to their survival. 

“This is a positive step towards restoring the ecological balance in the area.

“While this is an encouraging milestone, recovery efforts are far from over. We will continue our work to support these possums and strengthen their population, ensuring these iconic marsupials have the best chance of long-term survival.”