Members of the Bingi Residents Association were delighted to spot this juvenile Greater Glider in the Eurobodalla National Park, just south of Congo last Thursday.
Rod Pietsch, Senior Threatened Species Officer, Office of Environment and Heritage showed his expertise by locating the glider within 10 minutes of entering the forest. Rod explained it was a juvenile Greater Glider, probably between 6 and 8 months old. "We saw another Greater Glider eating high in the canopy maybe 300 metres away. We think that was it’s mother who was off to get a feed, leaving the young one in the den tree. This clearly shows how important old hollow bearing trees are for habitat of these beautiful creatures.
Gliders are threatened by habitat fragmentation such as tree clearing - even remnant vegetation alongside roads can be helpful for them.
Steve Druitt, President of the Bingi Residents Association said "We're aiming to get people involved in a survey of the area east of the highway between Moruya Heads and Tuross Head.
"It’s been a few years since the last surveys were done, we want to bring the data up to date so we can work together with authorities like OEH, NPWS, Council
and local residents ensuring as much as possible is done to protect old growth, hollow bearing trees.
"Many people don’t realise it, but the population of Greater Gliders in the Congo / Bingi area are locally endangered.
"There’s no wildlife corridor that enables them to get across the highway, so every old tree in this area really counts in their survival.”
More information about this endangered population can be found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=20056
The Greater Glider is Australia’s largest glider, as large as a cat, with gliding membranes that go all the way from their ankles to their elbows and a tail that’s 450 to 600mm long.
If private land holders would like to get involved in some spotlighting to see who’s out and about at night in their trees, get in touch with the BRA via email: braemail@gmail.com
Who knows what you might see!
Above: Photo by Gillianne Tedder Photography
