Talk on southern greater gliders

A PRESENTATION about the world’s biggest gliding mammal found in Stanley captured the interest of around 40 people including some children last Friday night. A collaborative event to learn about southern greater gliders native to Australia followed with a chance to spot the creatures in the local forest. A Mid Ovens Landcare Consortium facilitator - Stanley’s Jim Blackney - delivered a presentation on ecology and the species with the event held jointly with Stanley Landcare at the village’s Safer Neighbourhood House. Mr Blackney said the glider as large as a cat has a tail around 50 to 60cm in length. “They are very impressive when you see them glide,” he said. “The gliders are found in eastern Australia along the Great Dividing Range. "In our local area they are found mainly in Blue Gum, and Narrow-leaf peppermint gum trees. “I have been researching quite a few and we have a population on the Stanley Plateau.” Mr Blackney said the endangered animal has suffered population declines through habitat loss, particularly in southern Queensland. “The animals are under threat in the wild because of logging, fires and climate change," he said. With the gliders reliant on forests and hollow-bearing trees for shelter and nesting, the researcher said hollows are vital for them. “Anything that impacts tree hollows is bad news,” Mr Blackney said. “All different plants and animals have a role to play in ecology and when a species gets into trouble it affects the ecological balance. “Australia has one of the worst mammal extinction rates in the world and there’s a lot of work to be done by state and federal governments.” Mr Blackney said the gliders are hard to find being nocturnal and people do not know about the mammal. He said the evening provided community education for people to gain a greater awareness of the gliders to help with better conservation. Stanley Landcare secretary Tony McDonald said three had been spotted high up in the trees in the forest in vicinity of the Yackandandah Gate Road when on the field excursion following the presentation. Mr Blackney said to help the species survive, habitats are being restored by landcare groups with a long running restoration project being undertaken by Stanley Landcare. The event drew landcare members, friends and the community with people travelling from Wooragee and Myrtleford. The North East Catchment Authority kindly funded the Friday night event. Mr Blackney said if people spot a southern greater glider, they can let him know by ringing 0459 622 260.

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