Register      Login
Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
REVIEW

Brushtail possums: do present law, policy and management approaches meet the needs of this species in all its contexts?

Tracey Catherine Russell A D , Ellen Geraghty B and Sarah Wilks C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian Wildlife Genomics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

B 9/1 Calder Road, Dundas, NSW 2117, Australia.

C Sustainability and Environment Research Group, School of Law, University of Western Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: tracey.russell@sydney.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 61(1) 95-100 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO12125
Submitted: 5 December 2012  Accepted: 30 May 2013   Published: 11 June 2013

Abstract

Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) have been variously described as endangered, pests, prized native wildlife and, recently, as a potential meat export. This article reports information on the increasing decline of the brushtail possum and on attitudes towards these animals. The ‘fit’ between values and attitudes and prevailing governance arrangements is assessed. While the range of this animal is certainly shrinking, areas do exist where the brushtail possum is present at high or very high densities. It is in these areas of high possum density (some urban areas and certain agricultural regions) that conflicts arise, both over the ‘identity’ of the brushtail possum and as to what would be appropriate management. It is argued that although brushtail possums enjoy significant legal protection, these provisions are treated as a nuisance to be circumvented by many residents in areas where possums are in high abundance. Existing policies on possum management somewhat unhelpfully focus attention on situations where possums are overabundant, thus overshadowing situations where active management of declining possum populations would be appropriate.

Additional keywords: attitudes towards native fauna, wildlife law and policy, wildlife management.


References

Aldred, J. (1979). Field experiments on population regulation in the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. Honours Thesis, The University of Sydney.

Australasian Legal Information Institute (AUSTLII) (2013). Available at: http://www.austlii.edu.au

Bateman, P. W., and Fleming, P. A. (2012). Big city life: carnivores in urban environments. Journal of Zoology 287, 1–23.
Big city life: carnivores in urban environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bolkas, A. (2012). Possum mutilation on the rise: RSPCA. Sydney Morning Herald, 17 October 2012. Available at: http://www.sma.com.au/environment/animals/possum-mutilation-on-rise-rspca-20121017-27pv5.html [accessed 22 October 2012].

Bulinski, J., and McArthur, C. (1999). An experimental field study of the effects of mammalian herbivore damage on Eucalyptus nitens seedlings. Forest Ecology and Management 113, 241–249.
An experimental field study of the effects of mammalian herbivore damage on Eucalyptus nitens seedlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Burbidge, A. A., McKenzie, N. L., Brennan, K. E. C., Woinarski, J. C. Z., Dickman, C. R., Baynes, A., Gordon, G., Menkhorst, P. W., and Robinson, A. C. (2008). Conservation status and biogeography of Australia’s terrestrial mammals. Australian Journal of Zoology 56, 411–422.
Conservation status and biogeography of Australia’s terrestrial mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Busch, L. (2011). How animal welfare standards create and justify realities. Animal Welfare 20, 21–27.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXmsVertbw%3D&md5=d2e2cf2e2c8ebc1d035aeaf30418340cCAS |

Cao, D. (2010). ‘Animal Law in Australia and New Zealand.’ (Thomson Reuters Professional: Sydney.)

Carthew, S. M. (2004). Distribution and conservation status of possums and gliders in South Australia. In ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders’. (Eds R. L. Goldingay and S. M. Jackson.) pp. 63–70. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Caulfield, M. (2009). ‘Handbook of Australian Cruelty Law.’ (Animals Australia: Melbourne.)

Daniels, G. D., and Kirkpatrick, J. B. (2011). Attitude and action syndromes of exurban landowners have little effect on native mammals in exurbia. Biodiversity and Conservation 20, 3517–3535.
Attitude and action syndromes of exurban landowners have little effect on native mammals in exurbia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davies, R. G., Webber, L. M., and Barnes, G. S. (2004). Urban wildlife management – it’s as much about people! In ‘Urban Wildlife: More than Meets the Eye’. (Eds D. Lunney and S. Burgin.) pp. 38–43. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

deLacey, C., and Chamberlain, S. (2007). Planting for possums: prime pickings or prohibited provender? A discussion paper from a horticultural and wildlife care perspective. In ‘Pest or Guest: the Zoology of Overabundance’. (Eds D. Lunney, P. Eby, P. Hutchings and S. Burgin.) pp. 99–116. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Tasmania (DPIPWE) (2010). Management plan for the commercial harvest and export of brushtail possums in tasmania. Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/sources/management-plans/pubs/tas-brushtail-possums-management-plan.doc [accessed 24 November 2012].

Dowle, M., and Deane, E. M. (2009). Attitudes to native bandicoots in an urban environment. European Journal of Wildlife Research 55, 45–52.
Attitudes to native bandicoots in an urban environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Eymann, J., Herbert, C. A., and Cooper, D. W. (2006). Management issues of urban common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula: a loved or hated neighbour. Australian Mammalogy 28, 153–171.
Management issues of urban common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula: a loved or hated neighbour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Eyre, T. J. (2004). Distribution and conservation status of the possums and gliders of southern Queensland. In ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders’. (Eds R. L. Goldingay and S. M. Jackson.) pp. 1–25. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Goldingay, R. L., and Jackson, S. M. (2004). (Eds) ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders.’ (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Herbert, C. A. (2007). From the urban fringe to the Abrolhos Islands: management challenges of burgeoning marsupial populations. In ‘Pest or Guest: the Zoology of Overabundance’. (Eds D. Lunney, P. Eby, P. Hutchings and S. Burgin.) pp. 129–141. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

How, R. A., and Hillcox, S. J. (2000). Brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, populations in south western Australia: demography, diet and conservation status. Wildlife Research 27, 81–89.
Brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, populations in south western Australia: demography, diet and conservation status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Isaac, J. (2005). Life history and demographics of an island possum. Australian Journal of Zoology 53, 195–203.
Life history and demographics of an island possum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jacobs, M. H. (2009). Why do we like or dislike animals? Human Dimensions of Wildlife 14, 1–11.
Why do we like or dislike animals?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kavanagh, R. P. (2004). Distribution and conservation status of possums and gliders in New South Wales. In ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders’. (Eds R. L. Goldingay and S. M. Jackson.) pp. 130–148. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Kempton, H. (2012). Alarm at attack on possum. The Mercury, 12 July 2012. Available at: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/07/12/345651_tasmania-news.html [accessed 4 December 2012].

Kerle, A. (2001). ‘Possums – the Brushtails, Ringtails and Greater Glider.’ (University of New South Wales Press: Sydney.)

Kerle, A. (2004). A cautionary tale: decline of the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula and the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus in the woodlands and western slopes and plains of New South Wales. In ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders’. (Eds R. L. Goldingay and S. M. Jackson.) pp. 71–84. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Kerle, J. A., Foulkes, J. N., Kimber, R. G., and Papenfus, D. (1992). The decline of the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr 1798), in arid Australia. The Rangeland Journal 14, 107–127.
The decline of the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr 1798), in arid Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Matthews, A., Lunney, D., Waples, K., and Hardy, J. (2004). Brushtail possums: “Champion of the suburbs” or “Our tormentors”? In ‘Urban Wildlife: More than Meets the Eye’. (Eds D. Lunney and S. Burgin.) pp. 159–168. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Miller, K., Brown, P. R., and Temby, I. (1999). Attitudes towards possums: a need for education? The Victorian Naturalist 116, 120–127.

OEH (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage) (2011). Possum management policy. Available at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/110793PossumMgmtPcy.pdf [accessed 5 December 2012].

Pietsch, R. S. (1994). The fate of common brushtail possums translocated to sclerophyll forest. In ‘Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna’. (Ed. M. Serena.) pp. 239–246. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Russell, T. R., Herbert, C. A., and Kohen, J. L. (2009). High possum mortality on urban roads: implications for the population viability of the common brushtail and the common ringtail possum. Australian Journal of Zoology 57, 391–397.
High possum mortality on urban roads: implications for the population viability of the common brushtail and the common ringtail possum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell, T. C., Bowman, B. R., Herbert, C. A., and Kohen, J. L. (2011). Suburban attitudes towards the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula and the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus in the northern suburbs of Sydney. Australian Zoologist 35, 888–894.
Suburban attitudes towards the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula and the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus in the northern suburbs of Sydney.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell, T. C., Herbert, C. A., Kohen, J. L., and Cooper, D. (2013). The incidence of road-killed possums in the Ku-ring-gai area of Sydney. Australian Journal of Zoology 61, 87–94.
The incidence of road-killed possums in the Ku-ring-gai area of Sydney.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilks, S. (2012). Animal welfare and the export of Australian wildlife products: how well does the legislation function? In ‘Refereed Proceedings of the XXXth IUGB Congress and Perdix, Barcelona, Spain’.

Wilks, S., Russell, T., and Eymann, J. (2008). Valued guest or vilified pest? How attitudes towards urban brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula fit into general perceptions of animals. In ‘Too Close for Comfort: Contentious Issues in Human–Wildlife Encounters’. (Eds D. Lunney, A. Munn and W. Meikle.) pp. 33–44. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Woinarski, J. C. Z. (2004). In a land with few possums, even the common are rare: ecology, conservation and management of possums in the Northern Territory. In ‘The Biology of Australian Possums and Gliders’. (Eds R. L. Goldingay and S. M. Jackson.) pp. 51–62. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Woinarski, J. C. Z., Armstrong, M., Brennan, K., Fisher, A., Griffiths, A. D., Hill, B., Milne, D. J., Palmer, C., Ward, S., Watson, M., Winderlich, S., and Young, S. (2010). Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Wildlife Research 37, 116–126.
Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |