Forestry Corp again told to halt work in glider habitat

A greater glider was found dead in August, 50 metres from harvesting activity in the Tallaganda state forest, east of Canberra.

The state-owned enterprise was hit with an initial 40-day stop work order, with the environmental watchdog saying it wasn't confident surveys to identify and preserve habitat trees were properly conducted.

The corporation identified only one den tree in the harvest area but the Environment Protection Authority has since found 20 and sighted 89 gliders in the area.

The authority has now issued a second stop work order, current until November 13.

The area being logged is one of the few remaining strongholds for the greater glider and it's right next to the protected Tallaganda National Park, which was hit hard in the Black Summer fires.

"Native forests, including habitat for the Southern Greater Gliders, are still recovering from the impacts of the fires but their presence in high numbers suggests that parts of Tallaganda State Forest are providing important refuge," the watchdog said on Friday.

"It is very important that glider den trees are identified and protected prior to harvest.

"The EPA has a strong compliance and enforcement program for native forestry, and we will continue on with our investigations and take appropriate regulatory action where required."

AAP is seeking comment from the Forestry Corporation.

WWF-Australia said the corporation was required to do pre-harvest habitat surveys, and identify and record greater glider den trees and protect each one with a 50-metre exclusion zone.

WWF, Wilderness Australia, and South East Forest Rescue recently went to the harvesting area and in a small patch identified 17 greater glider den trees.

The groups have provided a report to the EPA and the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.

Australian Associated Press