Endangered western pygmy possum is face of new Trees For Life campaign

Named after Bush for Life operations manager Peter Watton, “Peter” the western pygmy possum is the face of the latest Trees For Life campaign, a Home Lottery with a difference.

‘Peter’ the Western Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus concinnus) named after Bush for Life operations manager Peter Watton is the face of the Trees For Life Habitat Hero campaign. Picture: Peter Watton

Named after Bush for Life operations manager Peter Watton, “Peter” the western pygmy possum is the face of the latest Trees For Life campaign.

Mr Watton met little Peter at Newland Head Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula, where Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges staff were checking nest boxes.

“I managed to get a few photos, mostly while they were being held, but one of them got away,” he said.

“That was the one that ran up the tree, so he got a nice natural photo in native vegetation. You can tell from the photo they are just gorgeous and they are so small.”

The western pygmy possum is critically endangered in the Mount Lofty Ranges. Picture: Peter Watton

Classified as critically endangered in the Mount Lofty Ranges and struggling all over the state, these little guys need help. Revegetation programs restore habitat, Mr Watton saying it gives shelter, food and breeding sites.

“Western pygmy possums need more than just trees and so do other wildlife,” he said. “We need to try to reconstruct the ecosystems as best we can … that's what a lot of our wildlife needs.”

treesforlife.org.au