Leadbeater’s possum gets hi-tech tracking help

VICTORIA’S critically endangered animal emblem, the Leadbeater’s possum, will be traced with hi-tech radio-tracking methods as part of a new scientific project.

HI-TECH radio-tracking methods will be used to discover more about Victoria’s critically endangered animal emblem as part of a new scientific project.

A study of the unique ecosystem in the Central Highlands will zero-in on the habitat and behaviour of the Leadbeater’s possum.

The radio-tracking will focus on how the Leadbeater’s use den trees in regrowth forest and how far they move within such regrowth forests.

The status of the animal is currently under review by the Commonwealth government, which almost half of the possum’s ideal habitat — the old-growth mountain ash forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria — burnt in the 2009 bushfires.

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A female Leadbeater’s possum gets a check-up at Healesville Sanctuary.

It is estimated somewhere between 1500 and 3000 Leadbeater’s possums remain in the wild, but the Department of Environment says there is “no precise and robust estimate” of the total population size.

This research will aim to close critical knowledge gaps that are currently creating great uncertainty in the effectiveness of conservation and management strategies for possum to ensure great details of population size and trajectory of the species is obtained.

Between 1500 and 3000 Leadbeater’s possums remain in the wild

The possum has been a major hurdle for the forestry industry in Victoria much of Central Highlands ruled off limits because of the possum’s status.

Environment groups and scientists have warned the animal will be extinct within 30 years unless logging is banned in the region.

Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg will announce more than 50 new research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the environment today under the National Environmental Science Program.

“Each world class science project is designed to deliver practical and applied research that facilitates evidence-based decision making, informing policy and on-ground action,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“The new projects span a fascinating range of research topics and scientific disciplines.”