Mountain Journal

Recently, members of Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH) observed a critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum within an active logging coupe (480-509-0013, called ‘Desilijic’) in the Central Highlands to the east of Melbourne. Habitat just 100 metres away had already been clearfelled – well within the buffer zone triggered by this Leadbeater’s Possum detection.

Now WOTCH have heard that an interim protective buffer zone has been established surrounding the Leadbeater’s Possum detection.

Yet again, this highlights the value of citizen science in ensuring endangered species are protected.

The Desilijic coupe is just on the eastern side of the Baw Baw national park, in the catchment of the Thompson River.

WOTCH say:

“We have not had word whether operations have ceased in the coupe, or whether a compensatory buffer zone will be established in lieu of the buffer habitat that has already been clearfelled.

On Saturday night, WOTCH detected a critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum within an active logging coupe (480-509-0013 ‘Desilijic’). Habitat just 100 m away had already been clearfelled – well within the buffer zone triggered by this Leadbeater’s Possum detection”.

WOTCH then filed a report on Sunday.

“Sadly, pre-harvesting surveys failed to detect Leadbeater’s Possum in this location despite previous records of Leadbeater’s Possum and Smoky Mouse in the same patch of forest, highlighting the need for more extensive pre-harvest surveying in logging coupes.

On top of this, the slow response to our report – which exposes logging of important Leadbeater’s Possum and Smoky Mouse habitat in Melbourne’s water catchment – is extremely disheartening.

Join us in calling on DELWP to halt VicForest’s timber harvesting operations within the ‘Desilijic’ coupe and causing further damage to this critically endangered possum’s habitat.

DELWP:
Phone – 136 186
Email – Forest.reports@delwp.vic.gov.au

Office of The Conservation Regulator (OCR):
Email – OCR@delwp.vic.gov.au

Our report is now available on our website. View it here: https://tinyurl.com/ydykr6z8