Management for the conservation of Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) - a reply

Abstract

We welcome the opportunity to respond to Lindenmayer and Norton (1993) on behalf of those involved in management of the endangered Leadbeater's Possum. We agree that much can be learned from overseas experience, including work on the Northern Spotted Owl in USA. However, we do not share those authors' jaundiced and negative views about our developing management strategies and believe that comparisons with proposed conservation measures for the Northern Spotted Owl, as presented, are misleading. Their paper is particularly disappointing in view of the substantial achievements made towards conserving Leadbeater's Possum during the past two years.