Mountain pygmy possum  (Burramys parvus)

Due to the restrictions of their habitat requirements, mountain pygmy possums have suffered from the development of the ski industry in the Australian Alps (2). Although individuals may build nests around the foundations of lodges, development and the building of roads obstruct the dispersal of males. Habitat is also destroyed from the management of pistes and by general tourist development. A further threat to the mountain pygmy possum comes from habitat loss caused by increased temperatures and decreasing snow cover as a result of global warming (4).

Measures have been taken to decrease habitat fragmentation in ski resorts by protecting areas that are yet to be developed (2). In areas where possums and developments occur together, underground tunnels have been constructed to allow males to go about their nomadic lifestyle and therefore come into contact with mates. In Mouth Hotham the plight of male pygmy possums has captured local imagination and the tunnel has been dubbed the 'tunnel of love' (4). A captive breeding programme currently exists in Healesville Sanctuary (4), in order to provide a reservoir of animals for possible reintroduction.