In a groundbreaking discovery, a greater glider father has been filmed providing food for his young joey in an astonishing manner that defies previous assumptions about the species. The greater glider, an endangered marsupial native to Australia, has faced a rapid population decline over the past two decades. Researchers are racing against time to gain insights into their behavior and ecology to aid in conservation efforts.

The remarkable footage, which captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts around the globe, was recorded via a live-feed camera set up in the glider's den. Contrary to the long-held belief that these sizable, koala-sized animals possess tails that are incapable of gripping, the footage showcases a male greater glider named Milo using his tail ingeniously to transport a bundle of eucalyptus leaves back to his tree hollow for his joey, Brimi.

Dr. Ana Gracanin, an ecologist at the Australian National University, led the project that facilitated this unprecedented observation. She expressed her excitement, stating, “This unique behaviour had never been observed before, and it’s also some of the first evidence of paternal care in the species. Watching the joey take its first few nibbles was simply adorable, with little bite marks left on the leaves as it savored them one by one.”

Gracanin further elaborated in an interview with Yahoo News about her feelings of elation upon witnessing this discovery. “I’ve been watching the livestream from my work desk every single day, and while they typically engage in repetitive activities like sleeping and grooming, seeing Milo bring in leaves was incredibly thrilling,” she said.

Until this live stream was established, the behavioral patterns of greater gliders remained largely undocumented, making this finding a significant contribution to the understanding of their social structures and parenting styles. Dr. Gracanin noted, “Greater gliders are often perceived as solitary creatures, but we’ve observed Milo, Pip, and Brimi engaging in grooming, snuggling, and what seems to be play behavior.”

The project was made possible through the collaboration of various organizations, including the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF), the National Parks Association NSW, Wilderness Australia, and the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast. Their joint efforts have allowed people worldwide to witness the intricate social dynamics of glider families.

In light of this discovery, conservation scientist Dr. Kita Ashman from WWF-Australia emphasized the critical importance of protecting the habitat trees essential for the gliders' survival. The footage was captured at a secret location along the state's south coast, alarmingly close to areas where the NSW state government-owned Forestry Corporation continues to log forests known to be habitats for these endangered animals. Dr. Ashman expressed her concerns, stating, “Greater glider trees are being logged by a government-owned hardwood business that has lost nearly $90 million in the last four and a half years. It is shocking to witness such financial losses that come at the cost of degrading habitats and harming our unique wildlife.”

She further urged the state government to transition away from native forest logging to protect greater gliders and other threatened species, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “The NSW government needs to move towards conservation practices that safeguard our wildlife rather than putting them at risk,” she concluded.

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