A conservation project to rebuild native habitats has seen the return of the Krefft’s Gliders (formerly known as sugar gliders) to Greater Dandenong.
Previously thought locally extinct, the gliders have been recorded in our city for the first time ever.
“I am so proud that for the first time ever, Krefft’s Gliders have been recorded in the City of Greater Dandenong,” Mayor, Councillor Jim Memeti said.
“This is a huge win for local conservation and a sign that our long-term efforts to restore habitat are working.”
A group of students from EcoSkills TAFE made the discovery on a recent field trip to monitor nesting boxes in Brady Road Reserve, Dandenong North.
The nesting boxes were installed in early 2024 as part of landscape restoration efforts along Lower Dandenong Creek.
Krefft’s gliders are more than cute – they help pollinate native plants and control insect populations, making them vital to healthy ecosystems.
Over recent years we have been working to revegetate vital habitat corridors across our city. These corridors are not just for gliders – they are also helping to restore conditions for echidnas, native pollinators and other native wildlife we want to being back to Greater Dandenong.
Fun glider facts
- They can glide up to 50 metres in one leap!
- Gliders usually have one or two joeys at a time and can live up to 9 years in the wild.
- They are nocturnal, social, and live in small family groups – so if you spot one, there are probably more nearby.
- Each nest box is made from reclaimed redgum and are big and sturdy – weighing around 60kg and measuring 50cm tall with a 30cm diameter, designed to mimic large tree hollows.
- James Clow’s homestead along Dandenong Creek was named ‘Tirhatuan’ after the name the local Aboriginal people gave sugar glider possums.
Everybody in the community can support these conservation efforts by signing up to our Gardens for Wildlife Program, or joining a community tree planting day. Find out more about biodiversity in Greater Dandenong.
