The last three known remaining leadbeater's possums from Lake Mountain, in Victoria, have been rescued and moved to the Healesville Sanctuary.

A search of the Lake Mountain area found just three of a colony of around 300 had survived the 2009 bushfires.

The one female and two young male possums are the only three being held in captivity anywhere in the world.

It is estimated fewer than 1,000 of the possums exist in the wild.