Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p65
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 179268–182514

habitat. It is prudent to carefully trial any such translocations early in the plan, given the possibility of even more urgent need for such actions in the future following catastrophic bushfire, and as the population size declines and becomes increasingly fragmented.
Criteria used to assess translocation site suitability include: (1) Traditional Owner support, (2) suitable floristics to support Leadbeater's possum foraging, (3) suitable structure to facilitate possum movement, (4) patch size and carrying capacity, (5) operational logistics of conducting translocations at that locality. Hollow-bearing tree abundance is noted; however, nest boxes or chainsaw hollows can be provided should suitable foraging habitat lack tree hollows. The abundance of cats is an important consideration, although predation risk is likely to vary among locations. Modelling should be used to examine fire-risk and whether sites will remain climatically suitable for Leadbeater's Possum under climate change. Particularly important criteria for translocation site selection include carrying capacity and whether sites may constitute climate refugia.
The lowland swamp forest subpopulation is particularly precarious, should the barriers to breeding lowland Leadbeater's possums in captivity be overcome, this captive population has the potential to provide important insurance against the loss of this unique subpopulation in the wild. However, as captive-breeding has not yet been successful with lowland individuals and is unlikely to provide benefits in the necessary timeframe, ex situ priorities now relate to (1) pair wild-born subadults (approaching sexual maturity) in captivity ahead of re-release to the wild to establish additional breeding territories, and (2) establish and maintain mixed highland-lowland pairings as part of the genetic rescue strategy being applied for the lowland population.
As climate change advances, it will be important to identify possible genetic adaption responses for both subpopulations. For example, a genetic rescue strategy is being implemented for Yellingbo based around managed levels of gene-pool mixing between lowland and highland. While the priority is to introduce highland genes into the lowland population to mitigate inbreeding (and therefore increase genetic diversity), the opposite might also be applied; that is, incorporating lowland genes into the highland population may support adaptation to warming temperatures. The lowland population represents the trailing end of the climate distribution and thus the lowland population may have unique genetic variation for adaptation to warmer environments.

Action 3.1 – Priority: Essential
Use the outcomes of dynamic modelling in Action 2.1 to identify priority areas within the known range to which translocations may provide benefit to the possum's population viability. Assess the risks, potential impacts upon existing subpopulations, benefits, likelihood of success, and cost-effectiveness of translocation options. Develop appropriate protocols for use and implementation of translocation as informed by Action 5.2 (most likely 'wild-to-wild' introductions for the Central Highlands subpopulations). Ensure that translocation management actions