With its shagpile coat and teddy bear ears, the greater glider is one of Australia’s most photogenic animals, for those patient enough to put in the hours required to catch a glimpse of the forest-dwelling recluse.

Capable of gliding 100 metres through the air, but barely able to put one foot in front of the other on land, the curious creature is often described as a clumsy possum.

The greater glider is listed in Victoria as threatened with extinction. Credit:Josh Bowell

It is also described by scientific experts as on a pathway to extinction, following an 80 per cent population crash in just 20 years.

Yet, two years after its official listing as threatened in Victoria, the Andrews government is yet to initiate a plan to protect the greater glider from being wiped out.