Marsupials in the spotlight
Monday, 2 September 2002
Should you spy a possum scurrying up a tree or a flock of gliders overhead in the next two months, you might want to consider reporting the sighting.
The Marsupial Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is inviting people all around Australia to grab a torch and take part in The Great Australian Marsupial Night-Stalk, an annual event now in its fourth year, designed to gather vital information about the health of Australia's marsupial populations.
It will run during September and October.
Australia has the largest and most diverse marsupial population in the world, but at least 16 of our 204 marsupial species and sub-species are already extinct and another 53 are in serious trouble.
In an effort to reverse this disturbing trend, the Perth Zoo node of the Marsupial CRC set up the Night-Stalk project in 1999. It aims to increase our knowledge about these elusive furry critters in order to better protect and manage their habitats.
It is difficult to obtain information about many of Australia’s native pouched mammals because of their small size and nocturnal habits, especially given the stretched resources of many conservation agencies. Volunteers can make an enormous contribution. A group of 'night-stalkers' in the Australian Capital Territory, for example, found ring-tailed possums in a location unknown to experts.
In 2001, individuals, school groups, scouts, guides, naturalists and families returned a total of 459 surveys (called "spotters’ logs"), recording 5314 individual marsupials which represented 55 species or sub-species.
Marsupials were spotted in 82 per cent of surveys, with the most frequently sighted species including possums, gliders, bandicoots, wallabies, kangaroos and bettongs. Koalas, quolls and quokkas were also spied, and 40 per cent of surveys recorded feral pests such as foxes, cats and rodents.
Organisers are hopeful this year will be even bigger.
Director of the Marsupial CRC, Professor John Rodger, said that apart from generating important information, the great thing about the Night-Stalk project is the opportunity for the community to experience wildlife first hand.
“While the interesting data and sightings of possible value to conservation agencies are a great outcome, these are not as satisfying as the pleasure of participation enjoyed by so many Australians each year,” he told Macquarie University News.
For information about how to join an organised Night-Stalk in your area, or organise your own, visit the Marsupial CRC website.