Mountain Pygmy-possum - Conservation Context

CONSERVATION BACKGROUND

The Mountain Pygmy-possum is the only Australian mammal species confined to alpine environments.  It occurs in periglacial boulder fields overlain with mountain plum pine heathland and adjacent alpine and sub-alpine communities at high altitudes (>1400 m above sea level).

Mountain Pygmy-possums feed on Bogong moths, other invertebrates, seeds and fruits and gain weight rapidly before hibernating for 5-7 months under the snow.

They are only found in three small areas in south eastern Australia - a total area of less than 6-7 km²:

  • Between Mt Bogong and Mt Higginbotham, Victoria
  • Mt Buller, Victoria
  • Mt Kosciusko region of NSW

Populations in 2005 were approximately 1700 adult females and 550 adult males, but populations are thought to have decreased significantly since then (expected to be less than 2000 individuals).

CONSERVATION STATUS

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Critically Endangered
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Federal) – Endangered
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria) - Threatened
DSE Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria 2007 - Critically Endangered

All three geographically isolated populations are threatened by:

  • Habitat loss due to habitat destruction (for downhill skiing and road, dam and aquaduct construction), erosion and weed invasion
  • Predation by feral animals, including dogs, foxes and cats
  • Catastrophic events e.g. in 2007 bushfires came close to burning the remaining Mountain Pygmy Possum habitat at Mt Buller
  • Competition with other small mammals such as the Bush Rat may also have increased

Climate change may also affect the long-term survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum because they rely on snow as an insulation barrier against cold weather during their hibernation.  Following hibernation animals emerge to breed and feed on on Bogong Moths (which migrate to the alpine region during summer). If climate change affects snowfall patterns or the timing of Bogong Moth migration, this could have serious implications for the survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum.

RECOVERY PROGRAM

The specific objectives of recovery for the Mountain Pygmy-possum are to:

  • Ensure habitat security and undertake habitat restoration and enhancement, and ensure that land use activities will not impinge on the survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum
  • Monitor and control pest and predator species
  • Undertake annual monitoring of the population and record population changes
  • Undertake a captive breeding program specifically for the purpose of producing Mountain Pygmy-possums for reintroduction to Mt Buller to establish a secure and self-sustaining population
  • Increase our understanding of Mountain Pygmy-possum biology and ecology, and potentially threatening processes that may be detrimentally affecting the species, in order to better manage the species and its habitat, and to mitigate threats to the species
  • Encourage community awareness and support for Mountain Pygmy-possum conservation

CONSERVATION PARTNERS

The Mountain Pygmy-possum Recovery Team includes representatives from: