SNOWY ICON UNDER THREAT
Foundation supports Recovery Plan
by Gabrielle Anderson

The tiny Mountain Pygmy-Possum (Burramys parvus) lives in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and Victoria. Its habitat lies mostly within our popular ski fields. The possum lives in small boulderfield patches on these high snowy slopes, with a total habitat of less than four square kilometres. The Mountain Pygmy-Possum is listed as endangered in New South Wales.

An adult female Mountain Pygmy-Possum and the endemic Mountain Plum Pine (Podocarpus lawrencei), part of the possum's diet. Photo: Linda Broome, DEC

The Mountain Pygmy-Possum is the only Australian mammal that needs winter snow to survive. Unfortunately, snow sports and snow grooming activities damage its habitat by compacting the snow.

An insulating snow cover is crucial for the possum’s annual winter hibernation. The habitat is also particularly vulnerable to the threat of global warming, since this would reduce winter snow cover.

The Foundation has supported the Recovery Plan for the Mountain Pygmy-Possum for over a decade. It has funded annual field surveys, bioclimatic modelling of habitat sites and public awareness campaigns. The 2001 Draft Recovery Plan was prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The Service is now part of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

Recent data cause for concern

Funded by the Foundation, Dr Linda Broome, Senior Threatened Species Officer with DEC, has been studying the Mountain Pygmy-Possum for more than ten years. Linda has recently 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. Linda believes feral cats in resort areas were the most likely cause of this decline. She says that these cats appear to be increasing in numbers. Linda comments that the potential recovery of possums from the subsequent fires will be complicated by this earlier population decline.

The snow fields of Kosciuszko National Park are the home of the Mountain Pygmy-Possum Photo: DEC

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.

Linda believes 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 the Mountain Pygmy-Possum in NSW is estimated to be under 500 individuals.

Protecting the Mountain Pygmy-Possum

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.

If you would like more information on the Mountain Pygmy-Possum, you can access the Draft 2001 Recovery Plan at the NPWS website. (Close the window to return to this article.)

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