Overview
- Trail cameras set for feral-cat monitoring in the Byadbo area recorded a long-footed potoroo, confirming the elusive marsupial in Kosciuszko for the first time.
- The find is only the second recorded locality in NSW after Bondi State Forest and lies hundreds of kilometres from the species’ main Victorian range.
- Environment Minister Penny Sharpe signalled protective actions, with DCCEEW and NPWS preparing to extend the Saving Our Species program to Kosciuszko and to conduct targeted surveys.
- The species is listed as critically endangered in NSW and endangered nationally, with threats that include foxes, feral cats, feral horses, deer, pigs and altered fire regimes.
- On Thursday the NSW lower house voted to repeal Barilaro-era brumby protections, returning feral-horse decisions to NPWS, though the plan retaining 3,000 horses remains in place for now.