Royal gift for Healesville’s Pygmy Possums
- Written by Victorian Government
To celebrate the birth of Princess Charlotte to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Australian government is donating $10,000 to Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary to help with its Mountain Pygmy-possum conservation program.
The Sanctuary has been involved in a breeding program for the tiny marsupial since 2006, breeding more than 90 possums. Visitors can see the tiny Mountain Pygmy possums at Healesville Sanctuary in special climate controlled facilities that mimic their alpine environment.
“We are thrilled that such a beautiful, unique and captivating animal has been helped as a result of this happy occasion,” Zoos Victoria CEO Jenny Gray said.
“This gift is not only special for the Princess but also for the profile of this critically endangered species. Sadly, we believe there are less than 2000 in the wild. We hope that one day we can personally introduce the Princess and her family to a Mountain Pygmy-possum and to see the good work that this contribution will make to the future of the possum.”
Ms Gray confirmed that the Sanctuary would name a baby Mountain Pygmy-possum after the Princess.
For more information about Healesville Sanctuary, please contact Judy Robertson at:
Read more http://www.piecesofvictoria.com/2015/05/royal-gift-for-healesvilles-pygmy-possums/
