Seven urgent actions to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)

Abstract

The conservation status of Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) was upgraded to ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2015 following major impacts on populations and habitat arising from the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires of 2009. This conservation listing was subsequently reviewed and retained in 2019. Despite this recognition of significant extinction risk, major gaps exist in the conservation strategy being applied, including the absence of a current recovery plan or meaningful recovery targets. The cumulative impacts and legacies on forest condition and hollow-bearing tree abundance from logging and bushfire pose the most significant threats to the species, and several studies indicate that the current reserve system is inadequate to protect viable populations. Seven high-level actions are recommended that should be implemented with urgency to prevent the extinction of this iconic, flagship species amidst increasing threats from climate change. Most significantly, this includes the rapid phase-out of logging within the species’ range as the highest priority action. Other urgent measures include re-formation of a recovery team to coordinate action implementation, provision of nest boxes and chainsaw hollows to increase den site availability, intensive population management and habitat restoration for the lowland population that now contains fewer than 40 individuals, and translocations to expand the area of occupancy in response to increasing risks from bushfire and climate change.