Leadbeater's Possum Detection Report – 483-501-0035
Within VicForests scheduled logging coupe 483-501-0035 a nocturnal survey was undertaken by WOTCH on the evening of the 18th of September 2020 off South Face Road. Throughout this nocturnal survey a critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) (LbP) was identified using a thermal imaging camera and recorded using a hand-held video camera. Video footage and GPS location evidence is being submitted to the Victorian Environment Department (DELWP) upon the submission of this report. This report details the methods, results, discussion, and conclusion following this detection. Among other things, we conclude that VicForests must protect this LbP detection with a 1km Special Protection Zone (SPZ) buffer around the sighting, as recommended by the expert scientists at the Australian National University (ANU).