A critically endangered possum species, believed to be only found in Victoria, has been discovered in an alpine national park in New South Wales. This marks the first sighting of a leadbeater’s possum in the state, which was previously considered extinct there. The discovery was made after a thorough examination of millions of photographs, resulting in the confirmation of seven images of the possum within a 10-second period by the Healesville Sanctuary and the Australian National University.
The leadbeater’s possum, known as Victoria’s faunal emblem, is distinguished by its large eyes and bushy tail. It thrives in dense, moist areas within old-growth forests and relies on nesting in hollows that take over 150 years to mature. Dr. Fred Ford, a senior threatened species officer at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, emphasized the significance of this finding, highlighting the importance of ongoing exploration and the use of modern techniques such as remote cameras and environmental DNA in discovering rare species.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe characterized the discovery as “extraordinary,” praising the commitment of ecologists to conservation efforts and the crucial role of government threatened species officers in such significant findings. The discovery underscores the government’s efforts to protect the unique alpine ecosystem of Kosciuszko National Park, including actions to remove invasive species like feral horses, which Minister Sharpe noted as essential for creating a conducive environment for native species.
Ecologists will now review past surveys of the area to identify any additional possums, alongside the installation of new cameras to aid in their search. Leadbeater’s possums, affectionately known as “forest fairies” due to their elusive nature, were presumed extinct until their rediscovery near Marysville in 1961. Today, fewer than 40 of the lowland subspecies survive in a small area of the Yellingbo Forest, east of Melbourne, following significant habitat loss due to logging and development.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/01/this-elusive-possum-was-thought-to-be-extinct-outside-victoria-now-ecologists-have-made-an-amazing-discovery
