Honey possums found at Whiteman Park

13/4/05
Two honey possums have been found just 18km from the centre of Perth by students working on a biology project at Whiteman Park.
One male and one female honey possum with two young in her pouch were discovered within the last three weeks by Whiteman Park staff, Environment Minister Judy Edwards said.
Honey possums are small marsupials, slightly bigger than a large mouse. They feed almost exclusively on nectar from banksia trees and are now rarely seen in the metropolitan area.
Dr Edwards said honey possums were found only in South-West Western Australia.
"Understandably, the park staff are really excited by a find like this being so close to the city, particularly because the female possum is carrying young," the Minister said.
"Finding the possum shows the high conservation value of Whiteman Park's bushland and its importance to Western Australians.
"Having a family of honey possums living here also highlights how important it is for us to protect and enrich the conservation value of Whiteman Park so creatures like these have a home for many years to come.
"This also will help protect and enhance the lifestyle and environment of Western Australians."
Dr Edwards said threats to the mammal were closely linked to threats to banksias, their main food source.
Threats to banksia trees include fire, which can stop banksias from flowering for some years, a drop in the water table, and dieback. Other major threats to the honey possum include feral cats and foxes.
However, the possums have found a safe haven at Whiteman Park, which is a conservation reserve almost 10 times the size of Kings Park.
The mandate of Whiteman Park is to protect the vegetation of the Swan Coastal Plain, hence preserving the natural habitats of many native animals such as honey possums.
The honey possum also holds a number of quirky records among its mammal family - females give birth to the smallest young and males have the largest testes in proportion to its body size.
Minister's office: 9220 5050