Long-footed Potoroo Potorous longipes

Long-footed Potoroo Potorous longipes

The Long-footed Potoroo remained almost totally unknown to science until the 1980s and, whilst little is known about its lifestyle today, scientists agree that it is NSW's most critically endangered forest dwelling mammal.

The discovery of this rare and endangered species of rat kangaroo in Alpine Victoria raised the possibility of populations being found in similar areas of South-Eastern NSW.

To fund an expedition the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife’s Koala Committee hosted a “wild” party at the Gap Bluff Centre in Sydney Harbour National Park and raised $6,000 for the Search for the Long-footed Potoroo in alpine NSW.

Led by NPWS scientist Dr Andrew Claridge the survey team focussed on predicted habitat from computerised bioclimatic models. During March and April 2001 a field survey was undertaken in Bondi State Forest in SE NSW. Methods used to “sniff out” the possible presence of the Long-footed Potoroo included hair-tube sampling, analysis of hair from predator scats and some cage trapping.

Despite these intensive efforts, the Long-footed Potoroo was not detected from within the study area by any of these techniques. The survey did, however, confirm the presence in the area of the threatened Greater Glider and Eastern Pygmy Possum along with an unusually high number of wild dogs.

The results were used to develop more focussed conservation management of known Potoroo populations.

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