Experts feared all little pygymy possums may have died in the fires.
Good news from Australia is here! A tiny pygmy possum has been discovered on Kangaroo Island, dispelling fears that the species has completely vanished.
Nearly half of the 440,500-hectare South Australian island of Kangaroo Island was destroyed by bushfires in just December and January of 2019 and 2020.
According to The Guardian, the destruction destroyed the majority of the little pygmy possum’s habitat, which made experts fear that the species had been completely eradicated from the island.
One small pygmy, however, recently gave researchers cause for hope when it was discovered that he had survived the fires.
The marsupial that lives in trees was found by the conservation organization Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife as part of a larger conservation effort after the fire.
They are typically pretty challenging to study because of their tiny size, according to experts.
The tiny pygmy possum is under 10 grams in weight and can only reach a length of 5 centimeters!
They can also be seen in mainland South Australia, Victoria, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania, where they are typically found.
The species is undoubtedly in danger right now, especially as a result of habitat loss and the impact it has on their capacity to evade predators.
This little creature nevertheless continues to be a furry representation of future hope!
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