The Program Focus 

The overall objective is to achieve down-listing of the Mountain Pygmy-possum from Endangered nationally to a lower threat category based on 1994 IUCN Red List criteria of population size and trends, extent of occurrence, and probability of extinction.

The Program Plan

The specific objectives of recovery for the Mountain Pygmy-possum are to:

• Ensure habitat security and undertake habitat restoration and enhancement, and ensure that land use activities will not impinge on the survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum
• Monitor and control pest and predator species
• Undertake annual monitoring of the population and record population changes
• Undertake a captive breeding program specifically for the purpose of producing Mountain Pygmy-possums for reintroduction to Mt Buller to establish a secure and self-sustaining population
• Increase our understanding of Mountain Pygmy-possum biology and ecology, and potentially threatening processes that may be detrimentally affecting the species, in order to better manage the species and its habitat, and to mitigate threats to the species
• Encourage community awareness and support for Mountain Pygmy-possum conservation

Zoos Victoria's Role

Zoos Victoria’s key roles in the recovery of this species are to:

1. Develop a captive management program for the species and supplement in situ populations through captive breeding for reintroduction.
2. In the event that the wild population continues to decline, we maintain an insurance population in captivity.
3. Assist with population monitoring programs.
4. Increase community awareness of the plight of the Mountain Pygmy-possum and community support for its conservation.