Wildlife Queensland’s glider projects: Exciting updates and plans! 

30 January 2024

It’s been a busy few months of glider surveys and sightings for our Queensland Glider Network (QGN) and the Yellow-bellied Glider Project team! Their latest adventures include a search for Gizmo, the face of the Christmas appeal, and exciting yellow-bellied glider sightings.

Looking for Gizmo

Late last year, QGN project officers Josh Bowell and Matt Cecil embarked on a night survey south of Brisbane, searching for a particular greater glider named Gizmo. The iconic marsupial was first spotted in 2018 and was often seen when project officers visited the area over the following years. In 2020, the team had the privilege of spotting Gizmo with a joey in her pouch.

During the search, Josh and Matt came across a glider that bore a resemblance to Gizmo. Could it possibly be a relative of Gizmo or an older version of Gizmo?

Recent yellow-bellied glider sightings

Project Officers Josh Bowell, Maaike Hofman, and some volunteers recently headed out after the storms to check on two yellow-bellied glider sites in South East Queensland. At the first site, their efforts were rewarded with a yellow-bellied glider sighting and the sound of one nearby. Two yellow-bellied gliders were heard at the second site.

Josh Bowell also explored a site in West Logan that he’d visited four years ago, which resulted in four greater glider sightings and many possums and frogs. At a second site in the same area, Josh heard a yellow-bellied glider and was lucky to photograph a young one feasting on blossoming spotted gums. Check out these incredible photos below.

Impact of your donations in 2021

Thanks to the generous donors who supported our 2021 Yellow-bellied Glider Appeal, QGN launched the Yellow-bellied Glider Project, researching the distribution and occurrence of yellow-bellied gliders and greater gliders in South East Queensland.

Your donations helped:

• purchase equipment
• train volunteers
• collect and analyse data
• implement conservation initiatives, including a nest box installation program.

The information gathered from this project will be crucial in advancing our research on gliders, specifically laying the foundation for our new greater glider project scheduled for launch later this year.

New Greater Glider Project

Wildlife Queensland’s upcoming Greater Glider Project aims to unravel the mysteries of Queensland’s largest gliding marsupial.

With a focus on spatial ecology, denning habits, and preferred feed trees, the project will involve fitting gliders with radio-tracking collars. These devices will provide insights into their movements, home range, denning locations, and dietary preferences. The initiative also includes a detailed study of microhabitats to enhance nest box placement.

“Ultimately, the project will give us the information we need to protect these arboreal marsupials in South East Queensland, ensuring greater gliders will always have a home in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions,” says Wildlife Queensland Project Officer Paul Revie.

Future funding goals

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we’ve successfully raised 20% of the required $100,000 for our vital greater glider appeal. With this funding, we can investigate one site, but we desperately need additional funds for broader comparative research across multiple sites.

We are actively seeking additional funding through grant applications and ongoing contributions from supporters. Donations will enable us to continue this vital research and ensure the conservation of these unique marsupials in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.

Wildlife Queensland would be highly grateful for your support if you are able to donate.

More information

• For information about our conservation work with gliders, please visit our Queensland Glider Network page.
• Would you like to join a glider survey in SEQ? Email Josh at glider@wildlife.org.au to express your interest.
• Register for our upcoming free Greater Glider Induction on the Gold Coast, on 26 February 2024.
• Support our Queensland Glider Network projects by adopting a glider (also a great gift idea).
• If you spot a glider in the wild, please report your sighting online via our Queensland Glider Network Sighting Form.