Improving techniques for the Waxtagreg; possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) monitoring index

Abstract

To manage brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) accurate estimates of abundance are essential Direct counts are not feasible for large populations and index techniques are normally employed A new index technique for estimating possum abundance is the WaxTagreg; They are potentially more effective than traps because they are small easier to use very lightweight and therefore higher numbers can be set out in the field Whilst a national monitoring protocol for WaxTagreg;s has been developed it is important to determine whether improvements can be made This study investigated firstly whether luminescentcoloured WaxTagreg;s were more attractive than the WaxTagreg; with a flour blaze and secondly whether raising the WaxTagreg;s 700 mm above the ground reduced detectability Possums significantly preferred the flour blaze over luminescence and raising WaxTagreg;s did not significantly reduce detectability Accordingly WaxTagreg;s could be raised up above grounddwelling nontarget species without reducing statistical precision