Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 76501–79581

succession towards an older age-class that is more open in structure, and a lack of eucalypt regeneration (Harley 2015a).
A revegetation project to attempt to halt and reverse this decline in habitat quality and extent has been underway for over a decade (Harley 2015a), with potential to more than double the (currently very limited) area of suitable habitat (Harley et al. 2005). The optimal method to promote natural regeneration of this habitat remains a key knowledge gap.
A key risk-spreading strategy to contend with the risk of fire affecting the entire lowland population is to identify suitable lowland release localities beyond Yellingbo where populations could be established through wild-to-wild translocation or the translocation of captive-bred young if there was successful captive breeding (Harley 2016). Zoos Victoria has undertaken extensive surveys across Victoria in an attempt to identify suitable lowland forest for Leadbeater's possum which included several areas outside the possum's current range, such as north-east Victoria, parts of Gippsland and the Otways. While small remnant patches of suitable habitat occur in many areas (for example, near Mansfield, Shelley, Omeo and Bright), none are considered to be of sufficient size or quality to provide significant translocation opportunities. Habitat assessments to identify potential sites for new population establishment are ongoing.

Implications for conservation management
    * The current and projected status of the lowland subpopulation is parlous, and this subpopulation is unlikely to persist without significant ongoing management actions.
    * Management to reduce the likelihood of severe bushfire will be critical for the long-term persistence of Leadbeater's possum in lowland swamp forests.
    * The extent and connectivity of suitable habitat at Yellingbo and other potentially suitable sites nearby should be enhanced through revegetation and techniques to promote natural regeneration, and ongoing use of nest boxes.
    * Captive breeding or ranching subadults to establish new pairs, and translocations to suitable habitat in Yellingbo and other areas, will be required as insurance, with care taken in collecting founders from the wild to ensure that taking individuals does not significantly jeopardise the viability of that existing wild population.

3.4.8             Habitat augmentation
In response to the historic, current and projected decline in the extent and quality of habitat across Leadbeater's possum's range, there has been research aimed at augmenting habitat quality.
Nest box provision can provide benefits at localised scale at sites with suitable foraging habitat and vegetation structure but a lack of natural hollows and may be able to increase the likelihood of colonies persisting at such sites (Harley 2004b, 2006b). Nest boxes may also be useful during translocations, and at early post-disturbance successional stages. They can also facilitate the capture of animals for research, such as examination of genetic diversity across the range (Hansen et