One-of-a-kind possum breeds new hope
In a world-first, conservationists have successfully bred a Leadbeater’s possum joey of mixed origin genetics at Healesville Sanctuary – a significant win in the race to save the critically endangered lowland population that has dwindled to only 34 possums.
The Leadbeater’s possum is one of the most threatened marsupials on the planet and was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1961 in forest near Marysville. It was proclaimed the state faunal emblem of Victoria, alongside the Helmeted Honeyeater, in 1971.
There are two distinct genetic groups of this elusive possum, which are rarely seen by humans and known as forest fairies due to the way the tiny creatures leap between trees. Highland Leadbeater’s possums live in montane forests in the Victorian Central Highlands, while Lowland Leadbeater’s possums are isolated to a single remnant of floodplain forest and paperbark thickets in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area.
This remnant lowland population shows significant impacts of inbreeding resulting in shorter lifetime survival and decreased reproduction. Conservation geneticists at Monash University studied the species’ genetics and recommended forming mixed pairings to restore genetic diversity.
The Leadbeater’s Possum Breeding Program restarted at Healesville Sanctuary in 2012. In 2022, Healesville Sanctuary bred two Highland Leadbeater’s possum joeys for the first time in more than 20 years.
In further positive news announced today, population monitoring of the “forest fairies” has detected more tiny shadows darting through the forest at Yellingbo, concluding that the last remaining wild population of Lowland Leadbeater’s Possums has increased from 24 to 34 possums - the most significant increase in more than two decades.
Ecologists attribute this promising increase to successful translocations between Healesville Sanctuary (where some wild-born possums are housed) and Yellingbo, and successful breeding among the seven remaining wild family groups, known as colonies. Food availability has likely increased following rainfall encouraging insects and forest growth.
The Victorian State Government has attributed $2 million to the Faunal Emblems Program between 2023-2025 for targeted recovery actions for Leadbeater’s Possums and Helmeted Honeyeaters. Since 2018, $6 million has been dedicated to improving the future of both species.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:
“It’s fantastic to see this breeding success and increase in the wild population. The Commonwealth Government is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of Australia’s threatened species, including the Leadbeater’s Possum. That’s why we have today released the Leadbeater’s Possum Recovery Plan which will better protect this iconic species and help it thrive into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
“This breeding break-thorough is a credit to ongoing conservation efforts and a result of the Victorian Government’s commitment to protecting our state faunal emblems.”
Quotes attributable to Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray
“It has taken decades of science and conservation work to achieve this significant milestone and shows that our recovery
measures are working, with the end goal to restore self-sustaining Leadbeater’s Possum populations.”