Mountain Pygmy-Possum Burramys parvus

Mountain Pygmy-Possum Burramys parvus

Mountain Pygmy-possums are in trouble and in desperate need of our help. The possum's dilemma is that it only occurs above the winter snowline in areas of southern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria and that snowline is rapidly receding with global warming.

The main habitat of the possums is boulder fields and shrubby heathland. These areas attract millions of migratory Bogong moths, providing the main food for possums in Spring. They also protect the possums from the attention of feral predators.

Mountain Pygmy-possums is the only marsupial that hibernates during winter. Snow provides an insulating doona for hibernating possums. The depth and duration of snow cover and time of snow melt strongly influence possum survival. Low snow cover and rain during winter provides less insulation and more frequent awakening of hibernating possums, depleting energy stores and decreasing their survival. Early snowmelt in Spring, before the arrival of migratory Bogong moths, leaves them with little food during the critical early Spring period at the beginning of the breeding season. The possums are more susceptible to predation by feral cats and foxes as they forage outside the shelter of the rocks in the surrounding shrub land.

For more than a decade Dr Linda Broome of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has been studying this rare and endangered possum. She believes urgent action is needed to halt the decline in numbers.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has supported the preparation of the Recovery Plan over the past 10 years by funding annual field surveys, bioclimatic modelling of habitat sites and public awareness campaigns.

The first ever National Recovery Plan for the Mountain Pygmy-possum is currently under review for Federal approval. This is a major step in a co-ordinated approach to assisting the species survival. The plan details the distribution, habitat, threats and recovery objectives and actions necessary to ensure the long-term survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum. The Draft National Recovery Plan for the Mountain Pygmy-possum can be viewed here.

Support the Captive Breeding Program

A crucial action to ensure the survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum is a captive breeding program. This program aims;

• to provide an insurance population for re-introduction in case of further declines
• to provide a population that can be introduced into areas of alpine habitat not currently occupied and;
• to explore the possibility of adaption to warmer climates.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife needs your help to support this captive breeding program. We must act now to guarantee this gorgeous animal survives for future generations. It would be a tragedy if we lost the Mountain Pygmy-possum, with a fossil record going back around 20 million years, and after only 40 years of recognising its existence.

Past Possum surveys

In 2003, funded by the Foundation, Dr Linda Broome, re-assessed the total population size and distribution of the possum, completing her work after the recent fires in Kosciuszko National Park.

Surveys of the possum population involve setting small mammal traps in the late afternoon. These are then checked the following morning. Captured possums are weighed and their sex and general health noted. They are then ear tagged for future reference. Until 2000, the largest population of the Mountain Pygmy-possum was at Mt Blue Cow.

During 2000 researchers saw this population plummet. Scientists believe increasing numbers of feral cats in resort areas were the most likely cause of this decline. The potential recovery of possums from the subsequent fires will be complicated by this earlier population decline.

The Mt Blue Cow habitat was severely damaged by the 2003 fires, with 75-80% of the habitat severely burnt. Trapping has revealed evidence of breeding of Mountain Pygmy-Possums since the fires. However, there is no sign yet of resprouting of the Mountain Plum pine cover in this habitat.

This lack of cover will make the threat from predation even higher. The Mountain Plum pine was also a food source for the possum, along with bogong moths and other arthropods.

The entire population of Mountain Pygmy-Possums remaining in the wild is less than 2100 individuals. They are the last of their species in the world.

Past Recovery actions

The numerous studies of the Mountain Pygmy-Possum carried out over the last decade have provided vital information on its ecology. Habitat loss has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the continued viability of populations. A number of recovery actions have already taken place, which are designed to address the dual problems of habitat loss and fragmentation.

Habitat fragmentation has been reduced at Mt Blue Cow by constructing movement corridors around a major ski run. Programs to control and monitor feral animals in resort areas have also been in place since 1997. Resort operators have assisted by decreasing snow grooming activities within possum habitat.

These conservation efforts will continue into the future. Existing populations will be protected with a planned focus on high recreational use areas. The upgrading of existing movement corridors is also planned, and the establishment of further new corridors will be investigated.

Mountain Pygmy-Possum populations and habitat including available food sources and snow depth will be monitored on an ongoing annual basis.