Sorry Bill, I probably misunderstood a little. If you install a possum box,
that's not bad, the animals have a good chance. I thought it might just be
the case of plugging up the roof hole and them dumping the possum in the
street. They wouldn't last long before getting run down by a car or killed
by some cat or dog. It would be better for it to have a chance in the forest
or at least provide some food for hopefully native predators, like owls.
Still be part of the 'natural' ecosystem, even if it means returning
nutrients to the forest, instead of some pest controller putting it down and
dumping the body or rotting in the street after something kills it.
A fair part of my yearly zoologist work involves animal relocations (often
bandicoots), usually for DEC, to selected locations (eg fox baited). These
locations may have local animals (often in reduced numbers), but at least
these new animals have a chance, instead of dying under the blade of a
bulldozer.
Richard
_____
From: Bill Stent
Sent: Wednesday, 5 September 2012 3:51 AM
To: Richard King
Cc:
Subject: Re: Possum trapping and releasing
That is correct, Richard.
The law says that in order to prevent unnecessary possum deaths, you have to
release them within 50 metres AND on the same property where they were
captured.
The way you're meant to do it, is have the possum man come around, inspect
your house for holes where possums can sneak in, close them up, and set
traps in the roof to boot out any possums left inside. Then you install a
possum box or two in convenient nearby trees. This whole process doesn't
normally cost much, unless you've got a roof full of possum holes.
Possums are territorial, meaning the ones you evict a short distance will
survive quite happily, and they'll also keep others away. However, relocate
them a larger distance and they don't do well. I understand that far from
deserving a medal, Landscape Woman has most probably caused the death of
this possum.
Remember, unlike in New Zealand, possums are a protected native species, at
least here in Victoria.
Bill
PS, I've been "severely chastised" by the other moderators for setting a
poor example and starting a non-birding thread. Sorry!
From: Richard King <>
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 8:01 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Possum trapping and releasing
Tell me if I understand this wrong, that you can only release a possum
basically on your property or have a 'pest controller' deal with them (who
won't release it somewhere else)? If that's the case, this 'Landscape
Woman'(and anyone else doing it), deserves a medal!
Richard King
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