The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

SQUIRREL GLIDER PETAURUS NORFOLCENSIS
EPBC Act: Not Listed TSC Act: Vulnerable Priority in Area: Low
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Occurrence in the Survey Area
Status uncertain – extremely rare or spatially inaccurate records.
There are three records for the squirrel glider within JKCR which
are old Australian Museum specimens with a low spatial
reliability. All have the label “Jenolan Caves”. However it is
possible that collections were done over a wider area than what
is now considered JKCR. Squirrel gliders in this area are mostly
found in grassy woodlands and these do not exist within JKCR.
If this species was to occur within JKCR it would more likely be
found in the wider alluvial valleys or along the major river
systems.
Regional Conservation Significance
Squirrel glider records are scattered through the region, with a
trend toward open woodland environments on higher fertility
plains, such as the Cumberland Plain and Burragorang Valley.
Further to the north the majority of records are from the Central
Squirrel glider. Photo © N. Williams
Coast and lower Hunter Valley. These areas are a stronghold for
the species, though few records are from within conservation
reserves (Smith and Murray 2003). The nearest records to
JKCR are in the Kedumba Valley, approximately 30 kilometres to the east. Since there have been no
recent records and JKCR does not contain ideal habitat, the reserve does not contribute to the
regional conservation of this species.
Threats in the Survey Area
Predation by foxes and cats; loss of hollow-bearing trees, competition with the feral honey bee for
hollows.
Management Considerations
Control of foxes and cats.
Protection of hollow-bearing trees.
The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve