Gliders

The conservation status of the greater glider (southern and central) was changed from vulnerable to endangered and the yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern subspecies) was listed as vulnerable in both:

Key threats to greater gliders and yellow-bellied gliders, under the EPBC Act conservation advice, include:

  • inappropriate fire regimes
  • climate change
  • land clearing
  • fragmentation
  • timber harvesting.

The conservation advice includes consideration of the more intensive clear-felling practices used in the southern states that are not used in Queensland.

The Code of practice for native forest timber production on Queensland's State forest estate 2020 (PDF, 4.3MB) (the Code) outlines specific measures to protect gliders and preserve habitats. These include robust safeguards for trees with hollows, which are a crucial habitat requirement for greater gliders.

Glider risk assessment

The Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider Risk Assessment was prepared by Eco Logical Australia to:

  • provide an understanding of potential risks arising from the interaction between gliders, their habitat and harvesting activities
  • identify possible ways to reduce the risks.

Findings

The risk assessment confirmed:

  • state forests, managed for selective timber harvesting, crucially conserve gliders by preserving extensive habitat, ensuring the ongoing survival and protection of both glider species
  • requirements under the Code (PDF, 4.3MB) are likely to protect foraging and nesting trees
  • areas affected by multiple fires or historical timber harvests may lack sufficient nesting resources
  • forage trees (sap, blossom or foliage) are a key resource for gliders. Timber harvesting was identified as a potential risk to gliders due to the overlap in the trees used by gliders and for timber. Additional protection of larger trees will likely benefit both species.

Reduce risk to gliders

The risk assessment identified 5 options to reduce potential impacts.

These options are:

  • improve protection of habitat at a landscape scale
  • enhance nesting and foraging resources
  • assess harvest data to support improved management
  • share knowledge with other parties
  • acquire further knowledge on glider requirements.

Glider protection measures

We proactively commissioned the Glider Risk Assessment to understand potential glider habitat risks.

We are implementing priority actions to address key findings, whilst also working on long-term options to further enhance conservation and glider recovery. These options require more detailed development before implementation.

These will add to the protections already in place under the Code (PDF, 4.3MB).

To support gliders, we commit to:

  • retain all live habitat trees and more recruitment habitat trees
  • increase the number of large trees retained
  • improve the selection of trees retained for habitat
  • retain all sap feed trees
  • continue and increase training and awareness
  • share findings with the Department of Environment Science and Innovation.

Visit our Glider engagement measures hub to watch a recorded presentation on the Glider Protection Measures.

More information

Last updated: 26 Apr 2024