PROTECTING THE NORTHERN BRUSHTAIL POSSUM IN THE TOP END
The challenge
The northern brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis) lives in tropical savanna woodlands, monsoonal forests and semi-urban areas (including Darwin) across the Top End. Nocturnal and mostly tree-dwelling, this possum commonly nests in tree hollows and eats leaves, flowers, and fruits.
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The northern brushtail possum has undergone broad-scale decline over the past few decades due to threats including frequent and intense fires, grassy weeds, feral herbivores, feral cats, habitat loss and degradation, and public misconceptions. These threats can combine to make one another worse.
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The northern brushtail possum is listed as Vulnerable by the Australian Government and is a priority species under the Australian Government’s Threatened species action plan 2022–2023.
Project goals
This project will:
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Facilitate and support strategic management of threats to possums (particularly fire and weeds)
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Improve understanding of where possums live and how they respond to management interventions
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Increase awareness of the possum and its threats in urban and semi-urban areas, where it’s often regarded as a nuisance.
We’ll use a combination of habitat assessments and camera-trapping surveys to collaboratively choose the best sites for management activities to improve possum habitat.
Monitoring at key sites will tell us if the management activities are improving habitat or if we need to do something differently.
Working together​
The project will work closely with First Nations ranger groups, Traditional Owners, community groups, private land holders and other stakeholders to protect existing populations of the northern brushtail possum and its habitat across the Top End.
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This project will run from June 2024 to June 2028.
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​This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and is delivered by Territory Natural Resource Management, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
Making a difference
The activities and outcomes of this project will directly contribute to several key actions outlined in the conservation advice for the species.
By enhancing our understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements of the northern brushtail possum through targeted camera trapping surveys, we aim to fill critical knowledge gaps. The data will be essential for informing ongoing population monitoring, tracking population trends, and identifying and mitigating key threats, including fire, invasive weeds, and feral animals.
Community engagement efforts will play a crucial role in shifting public attitudes and generating widespread support for these important initiatives.
Next steps
The activities and outcomes of this project will directly contribute to several key actions outlined in the conservation advice for the species.
By enhancing our understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements of the northern brushtail possum through targeted camera trapping surveys, we aim to fill critical knowledge gaps. The data will be essential for informing ongoing population monitoring, tracking population trends, and identifying and mitigating key threats, including fire, invasive weeds, and feral animals.
Community engagement efforts will play a crucial role in shifting public attitudes and generating widespread support for these important initiatives.
