Why choose Secret Creek for Mountain Pygmy Possums

According to Prof. Mike Archer AM of the Palaeosciences Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences faculty of UNSW the fossil record of this possum lineage spanning the last 26 million years indicates that they have always been comfortable in cool temperate lowland rainforests from Queensland to New South Wales and Victoria, which is why Secret Creek is the perfect location. Trial releases will also be considered further down the road depending on the success of the Secret Creek breeding facility. 

Considering where these precious animals were once at home and now only exist in small pockets in the Australian Alps it should be obvious that if we don't do something soon we could lose them forever.

Mountain Pygmy Possum - hope for the future

AEFI are working with scientists and researchers on a captive-breeding program as a last resort to save the species, while predator control aims to protect the few remaining possums in the wild.

The Secret Creek breeding program aims to:
1. Breed a population of possums for reintroduction into the natural habitat in case of further declines.
2. Provide animals for experimental introductions to the unoccupied alpine habitat in Kosciuszko National Park.
3. Assess the ability of the mountain pygmy possum to breed and maintain populations in a warmer climate.
4. To trial releases into areas of habitat less vulnerable to climate change, such as lowland rainforest and wet forest.