. Management issues of urban common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula: a loved or hated neighbour.

Abstract

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) has readily adapted to the expanding urban settings of its native Australian environment. This has lead to conflict with humans due to T.�vulpecula?s seemingly bold behaviour in suburbia. Current management strategies encourage people to live harmoniously with possums. However, despite the cooperation of many residents, some object to this policy and illegally remove T.�vulpecula from their properties. Wildlife managers are seeking alternative management options that aim to reduce conflict with people. These include fertility control methods which may be used to adjust possum numbers in a publicly acceptable way. Nest boxes are frequently recommended as alternative den sites for T.�vulpecula which reside in man-made structures. The disease status of possums may alter the rationale for their management in urban areas, due to the potential consequences for humans, domestic animals and possum conservation. Understanding the biology and behaviour of T.�vulpecula can greatly enhance the ability to select and successfully utilise adequate methods and solve outstanding issues. As such, this paper aims to review the scientific knowledge on possum populations as well as urban possum management policies and potential management tools.

Suburban attitudes towards the common brushtail possumTrichosurus vulpeculaand the common ringtail possumPseudocheirus peregrinusin the northern suburbs of Sydney

“…This practice is likely to have negative animal welfare consequences, as relocated possums are not thought to fare well due to introduced predators, competition with conspecifics, and naivety of the new location (Pietsch 1994). However, relocating possums is a practice that is almost impossible to monitor as traps are readily available and people are secretive when committing these illegal activities (Eymann et al 2006;Wilks et al 2008). Therefore this practice is likely to be under reported within this survey.…”

“…In a Victorian study on attitudes towards possums, the findings by Miller et al (1999) contrast the two Sydney studies with a majority, 33% of those surveyed, expressing a negative attitude towards possums, 25% were positive and 37% remained neutral. Possums inhabiting roof spaces, and the consequent noise and damage that can occur, appear to be the primary reason for negative feelings toward these animals (Miller et al 1999;Eymann et al 2006;Hill et al 2007;Wilks et al 2008). Brushtail possums are usually blamed for this behaviour, however ringtail possums are equally likely to inhabit roof cavities in Sydney's northern suburbs (Chris MacGreal, licensed possum removalist, pers.…”

“…It has been revealed (Eymann et al 2006;Hill et al 2007;Wilks et al 2008) that people, including at least one known licensed possum removalist (Hill et al 2007), will readily translocate possums away from their premises ignoring legislation which states that possums must be relocated within 50 m of the trap site (DECC 2008). This practice is likely to have negative animal welfare consequences, as relocated possums are not thought to fare well due to introduced predators, competition with conspecifics, and naivety of the new location (Pietsch 1994).…”

“…This may intensify the negative perceptions of the animal in the minds of those people who have had human-possum conflicts. Although brushtail possums have been reported as '… urban pests … whose populations are literally going through the roof' (Lunney and Burgin 2004 p. 230), there are no definitive records of abundance for either possum species in urban areas (Statham and Statham 1997;Matthews et al 2004;Eymann et al 2006). Through questionnaires, Hill et al (2007) investigated the causes of human-possum conflicts experienced by residents of the northern Sydney suburb of Mosman.…”

“…Increased urbanisation and habitat fragmentation brings possums into more frequent contact with people as possums may utilise human dwellings in the absence of suitable natural den sites. In some sections of the community, possums, particularly brushtail possums, are lambasted for making their homes in roof cavities (thus creating noise and mess) and for causing damage to suburban garden plants; creating conflict and aggravation to residents (Mathews et al 2004;Eymann et al 2006;Wilks et al 2008). FitzGibbon and Jones (2006) suggest that such human-wildlife conflicts may cause a "heightened awareness" of a species' presence, thus creating a bias in a person's recounting of an experience with that species.…”