Mountain pygmy possum population bounces back in NSW alpsABy Adriane ReardonABC South East NSWTopic:Animals1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 8:45pmThe population of mountain pygmy possums in Kosciuszko National Park is making a comeback. (Supplied: NSW DCCEEW, Alex Pike)In short:The population of mountain pygmy possums in Kosciuszko National Park has returned to average numbers.There are now estimated to be as many as 950 adults in the wild, up from 700 in 2020. What's next?Efforts to protect the endangered species from the threats of climate change and feral animals will continue.abc.net.au/news/mountain-pygmy-possum-kosciuszko-national-park-/105257852Link copiedShareShare articleThe endangered mountain pygmy possum is proving itself nothing short of a fighter as its population continues to bounce back in the NSW Snowy Mountains.The species' numbers in Kosciuszko National Park began to drop in 2017 during the drought, with as few as 700 left in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires in 2020.It has been a long journey, but as the environment recovers after the natural disasters, so does the possum population.Linda Broome, a threatened species officer with the NSW Environment Department, estimated numbers were back to about 940-950, which was "close to average"."They're close to my heart and it's great to see that they've come back to reasonable numbers after those devastating fires and the drought," Dr Broome said.'Shiny and fat'The species lives between Thredbo and Gungartan, in the south of the park, and Cabramurra in the bushfire-ravaged north. It is also found in the Victorian alps.The possums are tiny, with the average adult weighing just 40 grams.During a site visit to the NSW habitats in November 2024, Dr Broome said the creatures appeared "shiny and fat" with as many as four young in their pouches.During this time, 107 adult marsupials were found at Snow Ridge Hill near Cabramurra, a record number at one site. Linda Broome says the species is close to her heart. (Supplied: NSW DCCEEW)Dr Broome, who has been studying the creatures since the 1980s, said mountain pygmy possums were unique and cute to boot."They're the only small mammal that actually hibernates under the snow in Australia, which is quite special," she said."They're alpine specialists and there's so little alpine country in Australia that they're very unique."They're cute, they're very endearing."Mountain pygmy possums are small, with adults weighing an average of 40 grams. (Supplied: NSW DCCEEW)Survival snacksClimate change and feral species, like foxes and cats, are traditional threats to the mountain pygmy possums.Humans have also been known to mistake them for vermin when they enter ski lodges and other buildings in their alpine and sub-alpine habitat.But the drought from 2017 was a significant threat, mainly because it diminished their main food source, the Bogong moth."Bogong biscuits" were created as a supplementary food source, consisting of macadamias, mealworm and various oils, and used between 2020 and 2022 to help feed the animals."Bogong biscuits" were made to help feed the mountain pygmy possums. (Supplied: NSW DCCEEW)Students from local schools in NSW Snowy Mountains, including at Berridale, Jindabyne, Cooma and Adaminaby, eventually pitched in to make them."The idea is to create the same saturated fats you'd get from a Bogong moth," said Dan Nicholls, NSW NPWS education officer."The [students] all got to taste a Bogong bikkie, so that was pretty exciting."Common threats to the mountain pygmy possum include climate change, feral species and humans mistaking them for vermin. (Supplied: NSW DCCEEW)Dr Broome said the national parks staff and the students had helped save the species."We fed them for two years, until the vegetation recovered," she said."If we hadn't fed the possums, they would have dropped down to 500."ABC South East NSW — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each ThursdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 8:45pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesThree dead after India strikes nine Pakistan sites, officials sayLIVEIndia claims targets in Pakistan were 'terrorist infrastructure'BREAKINGPhoto shows pakistan KasmireCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimePhoto shows External images of Reiby Youth Detention Centre.Who won the election culture wars? Not Dutton or PalmerAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Clive Palmer NPC'Takes two to tango': Takeaways from the Trump-Carney White House chatTopic:World PoliticsPhoto shows Mark Carney and Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office.Related storiesBTN: Saving the Mountain Pygmy-possumTopic:SciencePhoto shows A Mountain Pygmy-possum sits on someone's handHas Video Duration: 3 minutes 53 seconds.3m 53sThe bold plan to prepare Australia's only hibernating possum for climate changeTopic:Climate ChangePhoto shows A small possum eating lunch.The bold and controversial plan to save the mountain pygmy possum from extinctionTopic:Science and TechnologyPhoto shows A mountain pygmy possum on a banksia seed with a blue background.Low numbers of pygmy-possums puzzle researchersTopic:Animal SciencePhoto shows A Mountain pygmy possum sits on someone's hand.Related topicsAdaminabyAnimalsBerridaleConservationEndangered and Protected SpeciesJindabynePerisher ValleyThredbo VillageWagga WaggaTop StoriesThree dead after India strikes nine Pakistan sites, officials sayTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarBreaking: India claims targets in Pakistan were 'terrorist infrastructure'Topic:Unrest, Conflict and WarCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimeWho won the election culture wars? Not Dutton or PalmerAAnalysis by Annabel Crabb'Takes two to tango': Takeaways from the Trump-Carney White House chatTopic:World PoliticsJust InASX to open lower, Wall St falls on lack of progress with Trump trade dealsLIVE25m ago25 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 10:04pm'A wild ride': Aussie sprint ace Ewan stuns cycling world with retirementTopic:Road Cycle Racing25m ago25 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 10:04pmChina congratulated Albanese on election night. That tells us a lotBAnalysis by Bang Xiao43m ago43 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:46pmAt 82, author Isabel Allende thinks about death a lot. But also loveTopic:Books35m ago35 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:55pmMore Just InBack to top