A Victorian timber company is using what has been dubbed a “zombie” license from 1977 to log critically endangered mountain ash forest, including the habitat of the Leadbeater’s possum, which was once thought extinct. Conservationists said the activation of such an old licence was a loophole allowing the loggers to avoid the application of more recent laws designed to protect endangered plants and animals, and which require consultation with the public prior to logging. …The council approved the application, leaving environmentalists and some scientists furious. …Critically endangered Leadbeater’s possums have been observed on the perimeter of the property and in the state forest that neighbours the property. …Professor Lindenmayer said the logging of 16 hectares of mountain ash forest on this property could fragment Leadbeater’s possum populations.