21/05/2026
Today is the UN's International Day for Biological Diversity, and this year's theme “Acting locally for global impact”, represents how major changes begin on a small, local scale 💚
A small, local change that we’re excited to share is this recent sighting of a Western Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus concinnus) on a remote camera image from Murbpook; the first known sighting of this species at this nature reserve!
FAST FACTS:
✅ While they don't have a threatened status locally, sightings have been limited, with only 5 records within a ~30km radius in the Atlas of Living Australia.
✅ Western Pygmy Possums are listed as Endangered in NSW largely due to threats like vegetation clearing, overgrazing, fire regimes, and introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats, highlighting the importance of nature reserves and conservation actions.
✅ Their body length ranges from around 5-7.7cm with an 8cm tail.
✅ Despite their diminutive size, they are one of the largest pygmy possums in the world!
✅ The species prefer areas with bottlebrushes, banksia, and grevillea, and assist in pollinating these plants.
✅ Like all pygmy possums, the Western Pygmy Possum enters mini hibernating periods called torpor. When temperatures dip below 12°C and food is scarce, they'll fall into a deep sleep for several days.
If this species has taken up residence at Murbpook Nature Reserve, it reflects the positive impact of our conservation activities, especially threat management actions to control weeds and feral predators, supporting ongoing habitat recovery.
This observation also highlights the importance of routine monitoring, without which we likely would not have been aware of the pygmy possum's presence.
We hope to see increasing encounters of Western Pygmy Possums and other small native mammals through our ongoing monitoring program and look forward to sharing further insights from the analysis in the coming months.
