Bespoke sanctuary established for critically endangered lowland Leadbeater’s possums in Victoria
With only 13 lowland Leadbeater’s possums left at Victoria’s Yellingbo conservation area, conservationists have created a bespoke sanctuary to rescue the critically endangered marsupial from extinction. The population had plunged from over 110 in 2003 to just 20 or 30 in recent years, before suspected predators claimed nearly half of the survivors between October and June. In response, Zoos Victoria ecologists, led by Dr Dan Harley, temporarily evacuated all wild individuals to Healesville Sanctuary while their new refuge was completed.
In late October, nine possums—six lowland, two highland, and one hybrid—were released into the predator-free habitat at Haining Farm, situated at the confluence of the Yarra and Don rivers. Developed over eight years by Parks Victoria, Greening Australia, and government partners, the project restored cleared farmland by planting 900,000 trees and shrubs, protected by a 3.6-kilometre fence that excludes foxes and feral cats. More releases are scheduled for 2027.
Because the young forest lacks natural hollows and mature sap sources, ecologists installed nest boxes, aerial runways, and feeding stations for the territorial pairs. While the site provides a vital lifeline, Harley stressed that the sanctuary is only a starting point, estimating that at least 220 hectares of suitable habitat will be necessary to ensure the lowland subspecies' long-term survival.
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