|
Wildlife Queensland visited Far North Queensland in May 2007 to expand the activities of the Queensland Glider Network into mahogany glider territory.
Cardwell was the hub of the activities including a day-long event that included a display at the Reef and Rainforest centre plus presentations from conservationists and carers coordinated by Wildlife Queensland’s wildlife projects officer, Ben Holmes.
Did you know…?...
Mahogany gliders are among Australia’s most endangered mammals. Their range is restricted, inhabiting only 120km of coastal woodlands between Tully and Ingham in Far North Queensland.
Approximately 80% of their former habitat has been cleared for agriculture, forestry and residential development; less than 20% of what remains is protected within the parks and reserves system. Due to the mahogany gliders’ elusive disposition, the number of animals in the wild is unknown. However, estimates range between 1000–3000 individuals.
Threats to the mahogany glider and its habitat are perpetually forcing this beautiful animal closer and closer to extinction. Fortunately, there is much we can do to reverse these trends and contribute greatly to the preservation of this species
The community got a chance to get hands-on with a timber nestbox installation in glider habitat around the Cardwell area and a volunteer group has committed to on-going monitoring of the nestboxes and their future inhabitants.
Local landowners, who play an important part in conserving the habitat of gliders, received tube stock of tree species preferred by mahogany gliders. By re-vegetating their properties with these trees, they are providing significant habitat and preserving and creating corridors between mahogany glider populations.
During visits to talk to students in local primary schools, Wildlife Queensland distributed copies of the mahogany glider education kit – Mahogany glider: Rescue the ropedancer – and the new mahogany glider poster (available from Wildlife Queensland). The school students were eager to learn about their unique neighbours and find out how they could help conserve mahogany gliders in their local area.
In addition to the education and community awareness activities, Wildlife Queensland’s wildlife projects officer also met with key stakeholders in mahogany glider conservation in order to establish links and engender support for future projects, with the aim of providing continuous and collaborative mahogany glider conservation.
Wildlife Queensland developed the mahogany glider poster for the Queensland Glider Network About the Queensland Glider Network
Queensland Glider Network (QGN) is an initiative of Wildlife Queensland that was established to help raise awareness of gliders and their habitat needs.
The network forms a hub for glider conservation, research and information exchange in Queensland. QGN produces a newsletter, organizes workshops as part of the Gliders in the Spotlight project under QGN, special events and hosts an interactive online portal to encourage information sharing.
Find out more about the Queensland Glider Network.
Find out more about mahogany gliders.
For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194. |
