Despite devastating bushfires and drought in recent years, the elusive greater glider—a tree-dwelling marsupial that glides through the forest canopy—has made a stunning comeback in parts of Australia’s Blue Mountains. In areas only lightly touched by the 2019 wildfires, researchers have recorded a 45% increase in glider numbers compared to pre-fire levels. Scientists were especially surprised by this recovery, as the gliders reproduce slowly and rely entirely on eucalyptus forests for food and shelter.
Spotting nearly 60 gliders in one corridor during a nighttime survey, researchers believe recent rainfall and the partial survival of eucalyptus habitats have been key to the rebound. Still, in more severely burned zones, no gliders were found—highlighting the fragile balance of their recovery. While the resurgence is cause for optimism, conservationists stress that preserving intact forests and supporting reforestation efforts are essential for the species’ long-term survival.