Greater Gliders Make a Remarkable Recovery in the Blue Mountains After Fires
Amid the recovery efforts in Australia, one species is showing an unexpected resurgence. The greater glider, a charming arboreal marsupial, has experienced a population increase of 45% in the Blue Mountains — even after the devastating combination of drought and wildfires in 2019.
This population boost has been hailed as “nothing short of remarkable,” especially considering the damage caused by the fires. Known for its ability to glide the length of a football field with a unique skin membrane between its arms and legs, the greater glider relies heavily on eucalyptus trees for sustenance. Without these trees, the gliders would not survive.
But in areas of the Blue Mountains that were only lightly scorched by the fires, these gliders are thriving, with Dr. Peter Smith, a renowned glider biologist, describing the recovery as “extraordinary.” He added that their low reproductive rate had initially led experts to believe a quick recovery was impossible.
During a single night’s survey, Dr. Smith and his wife, Judy, spotted an astounding 59 gliders in one corridor of the southern Blue Mountains, near Mares Forest National Park.
“To see the numbers rebound so quickly is incredible, especially after the destruction caused by the fires,” Dr. Smith remarked. The gliders’ slow reproductive cycle — giving birth to only one joey per year — usually makes them more vulnerable than other marsupials.
However, not all areas have fared as well. In regions where eucalyptus trees have not fully recovered from the 2019 fires, the glider population remains absent. This highlights the critical importance of restoring these vital habitats.
“The remaining strongholds in Mares Forest and the southern Blue Mountains National Park are crucial for the glider’s survival in the region,” Dr. Smith emphasized.
Interestingly, the surge in glider numbers is believed to be linked to increased rainfall in recent years, which has led to denser vegetation and healthier forests, providing the perfect environment for these flying possums to thrive.
As long as eucalyptus trees continue to recover and restore their habitats, the future of the greater glider looks bright.