The endangered Leadbeater’s Possum has received a much-needed boost with the completion of our Project and the creation of these badges.
As part of our Black Saturday projects, the Leadbeater’s Possum Project involved creating awareness and publicity for this amazing little Victorian creature. This snapshot of our badge – on cards with the title ‘Help Save Me’ – were delivered to the Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum last month.
They were also distributed at Petbarn Victorian stores as part of their Fun Days and are still available at ‘Animal Lovers’ retail store in Fitzroy.
The Leadbeater’s Possum is currently listed as endangered under both State and Commonwealth legislation, and is predicted to undergo population declines of more than 90 per cent over the next 40 years. Endemic to Victoria, and the only mammal restricted in distribution entirely to Victoria, it’s also the State’s Faunal emblem.
Remarkably, the Leadbeater’s Possum was unsighted for more than 50 years and presumed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961 in the Montane Ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. The rediscovery of the Leadbeater’s Possum was celebrated earlier this year, with a ceremony honouring the man who rediscovered it, Eric Wilksonson. See here for our story on Eric and more about the Leadbeater’s.
It was estimated the devastating fires of Black Saturday wiped out 40 to 50 per cent of the Leadbeater’s Possum’s habitat and threatened its existance once again. Production and distribution of the badges was the final stage in our Leadbeater’s Possum Project.
For more information on the Leadbeater’s visit The Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum.
This project was made possible by the sale of Moments of Connection. Thanks to everyone who bought a book and all our volunteers who helped assemble the badges!
