Mahogany Glider, Petaurus gracilis
(Queensland Museum)
Problem:
Most of the Mahogany
Glider's coastal tropical woodland habitat has been destroyed. Mahogany Gliders
are now found mainly on fragmented patches of leasehold or private land. To
conserve this species, this land has had to be set aside as protected areas or
purchased at a realistic market value.
Background Information:
The Mahogany Glider
was already endangered by the time it was rediscovered in 1989. Over 80% of its
habitat had been cleared for sugar cane, plantation pine, bananas and cattle.
There are only 2000 – 3000 Mahogany Gliders left in the wild.
Research:
Research by the
Queensland Museum led to the rediscovery of the Mahogany Glider in 1989. It has
been lost to science for over a century. The research revealed its dependence
on a broad range of woodland foods such as blossom nectar, plant exudates
(saps), insects, lichen (a type of plant made of a combination of alga and
fungus) and wattle arils. More importantly, the research highlighted its
endangered status.
Solution:
The Queensland and
Commonwealth governments have allocated a total of $16M, part of which will be
used to buy back land critical to the glider's survival. However, in spite of
its endangered status it is still being killed and displaced by
clearing.
The next species is the Northern Bettong