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To protect potoroos in southern Queensland, we are tackling their biggest threats head-on. By reducing fox and cut numbers with innovative Felixer traps and creating potoroo-friendly fire regimes, the project aims to boost potoroo numbers and expand safe habitats at sites like Springbrook, Main Range, and D’Aguilar. It’s also about people power and community conservation – Traditional Owners and community groups are actively involved in monitoring and land management, building skills and creating a network of potoroo protectors throughout the region.
The Potoroo Protectors Project
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A shy little marsupial about the size of a rabbit, the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) has a pointy snout perfect for sniffing out underground fungi. These “ecosystem gardeners” dig as they forage, helping to spread spores and keep soils healthy. Sadly, habitat loss and predators like cats and foxes have put them under threat, which makes protecting them all the more important. Healthy potoroo populations equal healthy forest ecosystems.
The Long-Nosed Potoroo
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We’re excited to share that our Potoroo Protectors Project has confirmed long-nosed potoroos living in Main Range, Springbrook, D’Aguilar, Conondale, and Bellthorpe National Parks, as well as Gambubal State Forest. The Gambubal population is especially fascinating — these potoroos are thriving in native understorey beneath an exotic pine plantation, a habitat not usually considered suitable for them. This discovery is guiding some of our future work, as we plan to survey other pine plantations where potoroos once occurred before the forests were converted.
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Meanwhile, our Felixer cat grooming traps have been running in and around Springbrook National Park, successfully removing foxes and cats. This is a huge step forward in easing predation pressure on potoroos and giving these shy little marsupials a better chance to bounce back.
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Our Potoroo Protectors Project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Threatened Species Recovery Action Grants.
Project Findings & Results
