SPECIES: Potorous gilbertii — Gilbert's Potoroo
CLASSIFICATION: Critically endangered
This week we rewind back to the year 2005 when FAME supported the establishment of a protected area for Australia’s most endangered mammal, Gilbert’s Potoroo.
Gilbert’s Potoroo is a small nocturnal marsupial, the only wild population left is in south-western Western Australia. Long thought to be extinct, the species was only rediscovered in 1994. Potoroos have long back feet and front feet with three-toed claws, used for digging for food. They are extremely furry – helpful for insulation – and buried under its thick fur are ears (barely noticeable) and eyes that appear to bulge out of its face. Quite the ecological engineer, potoroos are responsible for spore dispersal and germination. Today, the wild population estimate sits at around 100 individuals.
In 2023, FAME proudly celebrates 30 years of providing support to native species and habitats. It’s been a busy 30 years and the list of projects your support has enabled FAME to fund is long – nearly 70 in fact. Help us to make the next 30 years a continuation of this momentum. Visit the website to view FAME’s project history and make a donation.
Photo: Michael Wakefield