Citizen Science for the Western ringtail possum

Living with western ringtail possums – avoiding conflicts while promoting conservation of a threatened species Rochelle Steven, Threatened Species Recovery Hub

Introduction Scenario 1: “Possums are in my roof – making a lot of noise at night, and defecating in the roof space! I want them gone!” This is one of the biggest sources of 2. Block all entry points except the In Australia, we are very lucky to conflict between people and possums. one that is being used. Wait until be able to see numerous native It is completely understandable. dusk or dark, and observe the fauna species on a regular basis. Sleep deprivation and damage to possum (or possums if it is more Kangaroos, possums and even ceilings and walls are not the price than one in the roof) leave for bandicoots are just a few of the we should pay for living with wildlife. their evening of fun. that we can find living in Fear not! Solutions are available and and around urban areas. Many of 3. Block the entry point – block it not expensive to deploy. Sometimes these animals were always there, really well. Sheet metal firmly the only cost is a bit of time. First, you and sadly our encounters with nailed down, mesh with holes less need to be sure it is in fact a possum them are a result of us moving in than 2cm (entry points can be and not rats that are in your roof! to their territory – not the other as small as 5cm in diameter) and They will require different measures way around. wooded sheets also nailed down to manage their occupation. will probably work. Another option Despite this, we sometimes find It is important to realise that actively is a one-way pet door. Bricks do ourselves at odds with some catching and removing possums not work well. Possums are strong, of our native species, including and relocating them away from your so anything you put in place will the threatened western ringtail property is not considered an option need to be able to withstand their possum. Some species, like by any government agency. They will prising paws. You can block the the ringtail, seem to be able to strongly encourage the following steps hole with a temporary fix such adapt to living with us in urban as they provide the best long term as scrunched up wire on the first and peri-urban areas. We should solution to the situation. It is illegal night. Then during the day you view this as an opportunity to to interfere, transfer or harm native can close off the entrance with provide habitat for our wildlife, wildlife without explicit approval by the a more permanent solution. considering the extent of habitat relevant agency and demonstration loss that has occurred since the that all other measures to overcome time of European colonisation. the issue have been attempted. Below are some scenarios where this co-existence can go wrong, 1. The first step is to determine all and solutions are offered for possible entry and exit points from overcoming conflicts. your roof space. The possums are not in there 24 hours a day. They usually leave around dusk to commence their nightly antics of looking for food and mates (during the breeding season). Next, determine which of the entry points the possum is using to come and go. Western Ringtail Possums in roof. Image: Peter Eckerlsey

Biodiversity and Conservation Science NZ Christmas Tree. Image: Bernard Dupont

Scenario 1: (continued) Scenario 2: “Possums are eating my garden plants!” 4. Consider putting up a nest box (or Another common source of conflict • Cages made from small gauge homemade drey for ringtails) in a stems from the assortment of well- chicken wire, held down with tree on the property. This will help watered and well-nourished plants we pegs, can be effective barriers to them to stay in their established have ‘on offer’ in our gardens. Against possums. However, if possums territory, without the conflicts that a backdrop of diminishing biodiversity do manage to get inside these arise from them residing in your in nature and a drying climate, it’s not fixtures, they can become roof. You could even tempt them hard to see why urban gardens and trapped and disorientated. with some fresh peppie (Agonis parks become the go to place for If you choose this mechanism, flexuosa) leaves or bottlebrush possums to get a lovely nutrient-rich you need to be sure there is flowers to encourage them to take array of food to choose from. no way for them to get in. up residence in the box or drey. Put yourself in their shoes – in a matter • Place sensor lights in your yard Place it close to the box so they of speaking. Let’s say, possums are facing the garden plants you are can find it easily. Installing the box consistently eating plants growing trying to deter possums from where it is easily accessible for along your fence lines. For a possum munching on. They need to maintenance is recommended. that uses fences to navigate the urban be bright – bright enough that 5. Consider pruning any overhanging landscape (more on this later), walking they feel exposed to predation branches away from the roofline that fence line can be like walking past by being illuminated. Be aware, as these can provide the pathway a grazing table at a party. Of course if you have neighbours at to the roof. However, only do they are tempted by the yummy treats close quarters, they may not this after any resident possums they see. Who doesn’t succumb to appreciate this strategy. have vacated. the temptation of items on offer on • Consider transitioning your 6. If you live in a house with no grazing tables? Here is some food garden into a nature refuge. possible way to block all entry for thought (pun intended) to find Let go of the attachment to points, you also have a strategy solutions to this conflict: certain plants. If you are living to try that has been effective • Consider planting your beloved within the range of a threatened for many people. Install a high garden plants that you are not species, see it as an opportunity efficiency LED light in the roof. willing to sacrifice to possums to have a garden that is much Perhaps a couple if it is a very big away from fences. Possums more than just that. Your garden roof space. Keep them switched will not readily come to ground could play a critical role in on at all times. This will obviously and cross lawns to access conservation, if you approach carry a small cost to run them, food sources. it with the right frame of mind. but relative to the cost of losing Plant species that do attract • Plant extras of the plant that sleep, property damage or moving wildlife into your garden. they seem to have a particular house, it is a feasible solution. Choose plant species known to penchant for. Farmers in the UK be preferred by western ringtail do this regularly for birds – it’s possums (See list in the box Western ringtail possum on fence. called sacrificial cropping. Your about habitat plants below) and Image: L. Knight garden can do much more plant these along the fence line, than look attractive – it can be as opposed to the plants you valuable habitat. This is one way don’t want them to eat! Provide to move towards this ethos. nest boxes and dreys. But do • For fruit and vegetables, it refer to the measures outlined can be especially difficult to in this fact sheet to keep the sacrifice your yield to possums – possums out of your roof! psychologically at least. In these instances, it may be best to put physical barriers in place. Conservation programs have encouraged the community to plant peppies (, right) and other native trees and shrubs to provide food and habitat for the western ringtail possum. Image: R. Steven

Scenario 3: “My dog goes crazy every time a possum passes through the property and sometimes even catches and kills them!”

Everyone loves their pets. The sound to cats that are allowed to roam. • Additionally, dogs may charge of a cat purring and the devotion that Not to mention the impact cats fences and ultimately knock dogs show to their owners are joyful have on wildlife! Keeping cats possums off fence lines while experiences for most. However, there in at night is the best way to they are passing through the is no getting around the fact that protect them and wildlife. property. This is always a risk cats and dogs in urban backyards are in areas where there are no Dogs require some different one of the biggest threats to wildlife other routes for possums to management strategies. living alongside us in urban areas. get from point A to point B in In response to this, some might say • If your dog has bailed up a their nightly travels. Assess the “That’s what reserves and national possum in your garden, restrain route they are taking. Can you parks are for. Everything else should the dog and move it to a location provide an alternate pathway live there”. The reality is, the current where the possum is not visible. for them that keeps them at a network of protected areas do not Keep the dog in this place for height not accessible to dogs? provide adequate space for all species at least one hour, allowing It could be as simple as tying to persist. This means that urban the possum to move away a thick rope between two gardens and other private properties to a more secluded location. regularly used trees or even are going to be critical for biodiversity Before releasing your dog, check wedging a long piece of wood now and in the future. Where does this to ensure the possum is not or branch securely between the leave our beloved pets? Ideally, not out visible and or accessible. two points, if the distance allows in the cold! Most in urban • Some dogs will respond well this to be done safely. It may be gardens are nocturnal, so night time is to aversion training. Seeking necessary to use some wire or the highest risk time for all concerned. expert advice in how to train rope to ensure the fixture will • Vets and welfare groups your dog to not react to the not become dislodged in all agree that cats should be kept presence of possums can be high winds or storms. indoors, if not at all times, then effective (especially barking and • If your dog is allowed indoors, certainly at night time. Cars, harassment behaviours), and consider keeping them in disease, other cats (un-desexed) could possibly improve other at night. and cat-haters are all real threats behavioural challenges.

Habitat plants for western ringtail possums

Check appropriateness for your The nutritional value of these plants • West Australian golden wattle property by reading additional is unknown for the western ringtail (Acacia saligna) and other wattles information here: possum. In general, species from – food source https://geocatch.asn.au/wp- the family Myrtaceae (e.g., eucalypts, • Marri () content/uploads/2018/08/Plants- bottlebrush, peppermint and – food source for-a-Possum-Friendly-garden- melaleuca) are probably the most • Jarrah () CK_20171011.pdf appropriate source of food for western – food source ringtail possums. Ringtails have This is not a comprehensive list, but evolutionary adaptations in their gut • Bottlebrushes (Callistemon spp.) suggests some of the local species flora that enable them to digest these – food source and shelter appropriate as food and/or shelter for sorts of plants. Other native species • Banksia (Banksia attenuata, the western ringtail possum. As a first can play a significant role in providing Banksia grandis, Banksia littoralis) preference, local species are best for shelter and refuge. A diversity of native – shelter possums and local biodiversity more plants that provide multiple benefits generally. There are a number of non- • Coast swordsedge to western ringtail possums and other native species that the western ringtail (Lepidosperma gladiatum) species are needed for all to thrive in possum will also use as food and/or – shelter the highly modified urban landscape. shelter. These include the New Zealand • Teatree (Melaleuca spp.) Christmas Tree and various cultivated • Peppermint tree (Agonis – food source and shelter fruits and vegetables. flexuosa) – food source Western ringtail possum. Image: R. Steven

What to do with an injured western ringtail possum If you find an injured possum in 3. Capture and contain the animal Animals should not be taken into – or any other securely so that it does not injure care unless directed to by the wildlife, please contact the following: itself or you – use a towel or Wildcare helpline, a DBCA 1. Phone the DBCA Wildcare Helpline similar to pick it up and place representative or qualified vet. on (08) 9474 9055. Note the in a strong, well ventilated box Being in an ‘odd’ place or looking location, time of day and condition or pet carrier in a quiet, dark place. weird is not always an indication of the animal where you found it. Do not feed the animal or give of stress/injury. Unnecessary it water unless you have been interaction can prove fatal. 2. Follow the advice from the call advised to do so. centre operator. They may put you Adapted from information by FAWNA in touch with the nearest wildlife Be careful of teeth and claws when Inc. Further details can be obtained rehabilitator that can take the approaching and handling wildlife. from Department of Biodiversity, animal into care, or you will more Although injured, animals Conservation and Attractions. www. likely be asked to take the animal can be very dangerous when dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/contact- to a vet in the first instance. frightened or stressed. us/wildcare-helpline

Get involved in citizen science for the western ringtail possum Every day: Download and use the Annual events: Contact these groups to get involved: CAUL Urban Wildlife App – you can Many catchment councils and GeoCatch (https://geocatch.asn.au/) submit sightings from anywhere on conservation groups run annual Leschenault Catchment Council your smart device. Your garden, the citizen science events for western (http://www.leschenaultcc.org.au/) local park or just walking along any ringtail possums. These are a great Nature Conservation Margaret of the many street trees the species way to get lots of eyes on the River Region (https://www. use. If you see a possum, share the ground at one time for a snap natureconservation.org.au/) information with us! Download it here: shot assessment of the species South Coast NRM Google Play https://tinyurl.com/ presence across the South West. (https://southcoastnrm.com.au/) v47o83y South West Catchments Council App Store https://tinyurl.com/rkcgr8x (https://swccnrm.org.au/)

References and further reading: The information presented in this flyer has been synthesised from a suite of informative resources available online, as well as through direct communications with citizen scientists and urban residents in the South West of Australia. https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/off-road-conservation/LFW/2005346_ possum_bro_2005.pdf https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-can-i-live-happily-with-the-possums-on-my-property/ https://geocatch.asn.au/our-work/biodiversity/western-ringtail-possum/helpingwesternringtailpossums/ https://www.natureconservation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WRP-and-your-property-A5-booklet.pdf

Further Information Dr Rochelle Steven, The University of Queensland - [email protected]

This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program.