The western ringtail possum was declared critically endangered by the Minister for Environment on January 6, upgrading its previous threat category of endangered.
Under section 14(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, the western ringtail possum is recognised as being specially protected fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct.
GeoCatch communications officer Sonia Lamond said it was one of four mammals, including the woylie, Gilbert's potoroo, and central rock rat, that are now listed as critically endangered.
“The Busselton and Dunsborough area contains one of the most significant remaining populations of the western ringtail possum,” she said.
A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said species were reviewed annually based on new information becoming available.
The threat category was assessed on the impact of management or recovery actions, or changes in status of the species due to the effect of threatening processes.
“As a specially protected fauna, the western ringtail possum is subject to recovery actions and management interventions,” the spokesperson said.
“The term ‘likely to become extinct’ is a legislative term, and refers to the risk of becoming extinct, rather than a set time frame and implies that this may occur in the absence of intervention.
By listing the species as ‘likely to become extinct,’ the spokesperson said it would trigger management actions and protection strategies to reduce the risk of a species becoming extinct.
“The objective of these actions is that the western ringtail possum will not become extinct.”
The spokesperson said a higher level of penalty would also apply to the taking of western ringtail possums without authorisation under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
“This level of penalty will be greatly increased when the provisions of the new Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 come into operation,” the spokesperson said.
“The new Act would also provide for the protection of habitat that is critical to the western ringtail possum.”
The spokesperson said a recovery plan had been published for the species identifying the recovery actions to reduce the risk of the species becoming extinct.
