Community Attitudes toward Possums in Metropolitan Melbourne

2010·2.4 MB·English

Research Reports
Community attitudes toward possums in metropolitan Melbourne
Amy E Whiting1 Kelly K Miller13 and Ian Temby2
,
1SchoolofLifeandEnvironmentalSciences,DeakinUniversity,221 BurwoodHighway,Burwood.Victoria3125
2DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment,30ProspectSt,BoxHillVictoria,3128
CorrespondingauthorDrKellyMiller,SchoolofLifeandEnvironmentalSciences,DeakinUniversity,
221 BurwoodHighway,Burwood,Victoria3125. Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Community attitudes toward urban possums in Victoria were examined. 500 questionnaires were sent to a
randomsampleofresidentsfrommetropolitanMelbourne(n=103)aswellaspeoplewhohadhadexperiences
with possums («=340). Negative attitudes toward possums were found to exist in the communityand these
attitudeswere not restricted to thosewho have had problems with possums. However, the extent ofpossum
problemsmaybelessthancommonlybelieved,asoverhalfoftherespondentstonewspaperstoriescallingfor
peoplewith‘possumexperiences’reportedpositiveexperienceswithpossums. Increasingmediaemphasison
positiveexperienceswith possums andschool-basededucation programs are identified as possible strategies
forreducingconflictsandlearningtolivewithpossumsinurbanenvironments. (TheVictorianNaturalist127(1)
2010,4-10)
Keywords: possums, urbanwildlife, attitudes, human dimensions
Introduction
A recent study (Hill et al. 2007) suggested that ronment, the Common Brushtail Possum has
attitudestowardurbanpossumsinSydneywere vanished from much ofitsformerrangein arid
influenced byperceptions ofpossums more so Australia (Temby 2005), highlighting the need
than direct negative experience. However, the forconservation ofthis species.
same studyalso suggested the presence ofpos- The Common Brushtail Possum, a noctur-
sums in ceiling cavities is important in deter- nal marsupial, utilises hollow branches, tree
mining attitudes. This highlights the fact that trunks, and fallen logs as den sites during the
attitudes are shaped by a number of different day. However, in urbanareassuch naturallyoc-
factors including knowledge/awareness, so- curring sites are often limited, resulting in the
cioeconomic status, past experience and social use of house roof cavities as den sites (How
norms (Kellert 1996; Tarrant et al 1997; Man- and Kerle 1995). This often results in conflict
fredo et al. 2003). Circumstantial factors can between humans and possums for a variety of
also influence attitudestoward wildlife. Forex- reasons:possumsoftendonotemergefromthe
ample,theabundanceofthespeciesinquestion roofuntilwellafterdark, resultingintheirloud
has been shown to influence attitudes (West vocalisations and thumping noises disturb-
and Parkhurst 2002); and almost any species, ing the household; they sometimes leave urine
once it reaches high population numbers, can stains on ceilings; and they can create cracks
beregardedasapest(Deckeretal. 2001;DeSte- or holes in plaster ceilings and walls (Temby
fano and Desblinger2005). 2005). In contrast, the Common Ringtail Pos-
Understanding public attitudes toward sum usually constructs its own nest, or drey, a
wildlife is important if we wish to minimise ball ofleaves and twigs placed in a shrub, tree
human-wildlife conflicts and encourage the orvine, but will occasionally utilise house roof
communityto live harmoniouslywith thelocal cavities.
fauna. InVictoria,thereisaneedtounderstand Problems commonly associated with both
public attitudes toward two species ofpossum, species include: noise resulting from possums
the Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus walking orjumping on roofs during the night;
vulpecula and Common Ringtail Possum Pseu- indirect noise from dogs barking at possums;
docheirusperegrinus. Both specieshave thrived damage to gardens as a result ofpossums de-
in the urban environment and are the most foliating trees and eating flowers; and aesthetic
widespread and abundant native mammals annoyances such as droppings in the driveway
throughout Melbourne (van der Ree 2004). In and general odour (Temby 2005). Conflicts
contrast to its abundance in the urban envi- between human neighbours are also known to
4 TheVictorian Naturalist
Research Reports
arise in situations where one enjoys the pres- Forexample, Westand Parkhurst (2002) found
ence ofpossums and encourages them to their that negative attitudes toward deer existed in
yard through feeding, and the other dislikes Virginia; and DeStefano andDesblinger (2005)
the presence of possums and objects to their discuss negative attitudes toward beavers in
encouragement (Temby 2005). In response to Massachusetts and mountain lions throughout
these problems, the Victorian Department of thewestern U.S.A.
Natural Resources and Environment (now the Considering urbanisation results in dramatic
Department of Sustainability and Environ- losses of indigenous species (Collinge 1996),
ment) implemented the Victorian Living with thewillingness ofthecommunityto livealong-
Possumspolicyin 1997. Thepolicywas intend- side wildlife is important in such areas if we
edto help alleviate the human-possum conflict are to move towards more biodiverse urban
andpromoteahumaneapproachtosharingthe landscapes. The Living with Possums policy is
urban environmentwithpossums. aimed at working towards this vision, as it en-
Trappingandtranslocatingnuisancepossums courages the community to live with possums,
had previously been the preferred method of and,therefore,hasthepotentialtofacilitatethe
managementin Victoria (DepartmentofNatu- developmentofpositiveattitudestowardurban
ral Resources and Environment 1997). How- wildlife. However, non-compliance with the
ever,translocation studiesshowedthattranslo- policy is common (Whiting and Miller 2008)
cated possums tend to have very low survival and ifa significant portion ofthe community
rates (Augee et al. 1996; Pietsch 1994) so this has negative attitudes toward possums, the vi-
was not considered a humane management sion ofthepolicymaynotbeobtainable. Inad-
option. In response, a Governor in Council dition,severeill-treatmentofbrushtailpossums
Order made the translocation oftrapped pos- has been reported (Wilks et al 2008), high-
sumsillegal,andtheLivingwithPossumspolicy lightingtheneedforagreaterunderstandingof
stated that ‘trapped possums must be released attitudes, as knowledge about public attitudes
after sunset on the day ofcapture on the same toward wildlife is essential to accomplishing
propertywithin 50metresofthecapturesiteor many management goals (Pierce et al 2001).
takento aveterinarianforeuthanasia (Depart- Therefore, understanding communityattitudes
ment of Natural Resources and Environment toward urban possums and what determines
1997, p.ll). It has been shown that non-com- these attitudes is important ifthe management
pliance with the Living with Possums policy is aim of‘living with possums is to be achieved.
widespread within the Victorian community The aim ofthis studywas to examine commu-
and that those with negative attitudes are less nity attitudes toward possums in Melbourne,
likely to adhere to the policy (Whiting and and to determinewhetherthe managementvi-
Miller2008).Thisisaconcerngiventheanimal sionof‘livingwithpossums’ is obtainable.
welfare issuesassociatedwithtranslocation.
Methods
Previous studies by Miller et al (1999), Mat-
thews etal (2004) and Wilks etal (2008) have ThisstudywaspartofareviewoftheVictorian
revealed negative attitudes toward possums in Living with Possums policy and had two main
urban areas in Australia. Miller et al (1999) aims: to determine the level of community
examined attitudes toward possums in the awareness and compliance with thepolicy, and
Melbourne suburban municipality of Knox togaugecommunityattitudestowardpossums.
andfoundthat33.1%ofrespondentshadnega- This paper focuses on community attitudes
tive attitudes toward possums. Work done by toward possums, with community awareness
the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and compliance the subject ofa separate paper
(2002) found that 39% of respondents from (WhitingandMiller2008).
across NSW would not like to have possums GeneralPublicSample
in their backyard. Negative attitudes toward A self-administered, mail questionnaire was
urban wildlife are not limited to possums nor developed in order to gauge community at-
are they specific to Australia. Studies focusing titudes toward possums and the policy. The
on community attitudes toward wildlife con- eight-page survey consisted of three sections,
sistently find that many people have negative focusingonkeyelements ofthevalue-attitude-
attitudestowardlocalwildlife. behaviour hierarchy (Fulton et al 1996). The
Vol 127 (1) 2010 5
Research Reports
first section asked for demographic informa- bracketandlevel ofeducation. The second sec-
tion such as agebracketand level ofeducation. tion concentratedon information aboutthe re-
This was included to determine whether these spondent’s experiences with possums on their
factorsare relatedto attitudestoward possums. property and methods used to deal with those
The second section was concerned with deter- possums. The third section was concerned
mining community awareness of the policy. with respondents’ knowledge ofthe policyand
The third section concentrated on respondent general knowledge about possums. The fourth
attitudes toward possums and wildlife in gen- section asked aboutthe respondent’sviews and
eral and included questions regardingattitudes attitudestowards possums.
toward possums in suburbia and possums as The story first appeared in local Leadercom-
pests. This section was included to gauge pub- munity newspapers and called for people with
licattitudestowardpossumsandisthefocusof possum experiences, ‘be they good or bad’ to
thispaper. take part in the study. In total, eight Leader
A total of500 people from across metropoli- community newspapers ran the article and the
tan Melbourne were selected using systematic response saw more callers with positive atti-
random sampling ofthe Melbourne 2006 Resi- tudes toward possums than negative. All call-
dential White Pages telephone directory. The ers were sent a survey to complete; however,
number of surveys was determined by eco- the subsequent survey response from these
nomic and time constraints, but was compa- callers saw this ratio dramatically change; the
rable to similar studies (see Miller et al 1999; most likely reason being that the survey was
FitzGibbon and Jones 2006). Participants re- designedforpeoplewithpossumproblemsand
ceived a covering letter, consent form, and thismayhavediscouragedpeoplewithpositive
reply-paid envelope with their survey. In an attitudes from completing it. Therefore, it was
effort to increase the response rate, surveys decided that any further articles should con-
wereaddressedtoaspecificperson, ratherthan centrate on onlyrecruitingthosewith negative
the ‘The Resident’; participants were offered possum experiences. One month later, a small
the chance to win a $50 book voucher; and article was published in the state-wide Herald
reminder letters were sent approximately two Sun newspaper, calling for people who had ex-
weeks after the first mail-out (method adapted perienced problems with possums. As a result
fromDillman2000). ofthe HeraldSun newspaper coverage, a radio
announcementonABCradioinMelbournere-
PossumExperienceSample
sultedinfurtherrecruitmentofparticipantsfor
This sample consisted ofpeople who had had thestudy. Asubstantialnumberofrespondents
experiences with possums, defined as either stillreportedpositiveexperiences, whichledto
in the past or currently having possums living
such respondents being interviewed over the
in their house/roofor garden, or either in the phone rather than sent a survey that was not
pastorcurrentlyhavingpossumsthatvisittheir designed for their situation. All phone inter-
property. Although this sample was originally views were conducted by the same researcher
designedtogaugethelevelofcommunitycom- who asked five questions designed to obtain a
pliancewiththeLivingwithPossumspolicy,the general overviewofthe caller’s experience. The
data yielded important information on com- questionsfocused on speciesinvolved, feeding,
munity attitudes toward possums. The Victo- nestboxes,damagetothegarden,andpossums
rianInformationPrivacyAct2000didnotallow
in theroof.
us to contact individuals known to have had
possum experiences. To overcome this, print DataAnalysis
media were contacted and an article outlining Quantitative questionnaire data were coded
the research and asking readers with possum and entered into SPSS (Statistical Package for
experiencestocontacttheresearchertorequest the Social Sciences) version 12.0. Qualitative
a survey appeared in both local and state-wide data obtained from open-ended survey ques-
newspapers. The survey was an eight-page, tions and phone interviews were analysed by
self-administered questionnaire developed to the principal author for key themes and then
assess the actions taken primarily by people coded and entered into SPSS for statistical
with possum problems. The first section fo- analysis. Descriptive statistics were used in the
cusedon demographicinformationsuchasage analysis and, due to the categorical nature of
6 TheVictorian Naturalist
Research Reports
the data and lack ofcontinuous variables, the did not believe possums belonged there. In
chi-squared test for independence and Fishers addition, 76.5% ofrespondents who indicated
exact test were used for examining differences that only certain species ofwildlife should be
and relationships between groups. Compara- encouraged also felt that possums did not be-
tive data were considered statistically signifi- longinthesuburbs.
cantatP< 0.05. PossumExperienceSample
Results In total, 340 people were surveyed for this as-
GeneralPublicSample pectoftheresearch. Asaresultofthestoriesin
Atotalof103 completedsurveyswere received localnewspapers, 120phonecallswerereceived
and 61 were returned to sender, resulting in a and allwere sentsurveys. Ofthese callers, 67%
responserateof23%. Despitethislowresponse indicated positive experiences with possums
rate, key findings were comparable to findings with the remainder reporting negative experi-
ofpreviousstudiesonpossumattitudes (Miller ences (no respondents reported both). Of 87
etal 1999;Matthewsetal. 2004). Furthermore, surveyscompletedandreturned, only36%had
when the demographic profile of the sample positive experiences. A total of 253 individu-
was compared to 2001 Census data (Austral- als responded to the storythat appeared in the
ian Bureau of Statistics 2001), it was found HeraldSun; 43% reported negativeexperiences
that the sample and Census data did not dif- and 57% reportedpositiveexperiences.
0f0e..r0089s67i))g.,nioHfroicwcaeonvutenlrty,riyntohgfeebnaidgreetrhs((txxr22u==ct22u..r79e6516o,,fddtffh==e 1s1,,aPpm=-= TDhiisscusstsuidoynhas shown that, whilst about one
third ofthe community has negative attitudes
ple was found to differ significantly from the
2001 Censusdata(x2=44.466, df= 3,p< 0.001), rtioewnacridnsgpporsosbulmesm,stwhiethnpuomsbseurmsofmpaeyopnloetebxepea-s
with higher percentages ofthose over 49 years
ofage. Despite this departure from the Census high as commonly perceived. The majority of
respondents to local Leadernewspaper articles
data, a range ofages displaying approximately
equaldivisionsofgender,education,andcoun- callingfor goodorbadexperiences’wereposi-
try ofbirth responded to the survey. Consid- tive about possums. This is further supported
ering these factors, the sample was considered by the fact that the Herald Sun article calling
adequate for the purposes ofthis study. How- for people with possum problems resulted in
approximatelyhalfofthe respondents express-
ever, non-response bias could not be ruled out
ingpositiveexperienceswith possums. Despite
ainndmitnhde.results have been interpretedwith this this, it is extremely common for the negative
Overall, 32% ofrespondents had negative at- aspects ofurban possums to be highlighted by
titudes toward possums, 63.1% indicated their the Victorian media (e.g. Edwards, Frankston
Standard Leader; Tullberg, Waverley Leader;
attitudes towards possums were positive and
Fawcett, Sunday Herald Sun; Hudson, Her-
4re.s9p%onddiedntnsotwiitnhdincoatdeirtehcetirpoasttsiutumdee.xp2e3r.i5en%ceosf ald Sun). Why should this be the case? Those
who hold negative views on possums may do
considered them to be a pest and had negative
so extremely strongly, as demonstrated by the
attitudestowardthem.
Of respondents, 38.9% indicated wildlife followingquotestakenfromPossumExperience
surveys:
should be encouraged in the suburbs, 16.5%
thought that only certain species should be d.r.o.pgpairndge,nunrmuiennitnigo,nsalbeleepowfregcokdisngm,isftialtkheys,.faeces
encouraged, 40.8% were opposed to encourag-
ing wildlife, and 2.9% did not respond to the Theyshouldbe treated astheyare in otherparts
question. Those who believed wildlife should oftheworldbybeingmadeintogarments.
be encouraged were significantly more likely
toapproveofpossums in suburbia (x2= 30.121, pPeorshsaupmsstahroesemwoirtehvsouccahlsatbroountgatthteiitruvdiesewasgaainnds,t
ldife=vi2n,gpt<ha0t.0w0i1l)d.lifDeessphiotueldthibsereenlactoiuornsahgiepd, dbie-d assuch,theirviewsfindtheirwayintothecom-
notguaranteethatarespondentwouldfeelsim- munitythrough word ofmouth, which is then
iwlialrdllyifaebosuhtouplodssbuemse,nacsou3r4a.g1e%dofinthtohseewsuhbourfeblst idsistphreocpaosret,itohneatneiltymraeypobretetdhaitntthheemseitduiaat.ioInfthhaiss
Vol 127 (1) 2010 7
Research Reports
developedintowhatmediascholarscallaspiral plained bythe fact that some people onlywish
ofsilence (Noelle-Neumann 1991). A spiral of toencouragecertainspeciesofwildlife. Indeed,
silence occurswhenthemediaattributes apar- the majority ofpeople who onlywished to en-
ticular viewpoint as being predominant in the courage certain species felt that possums did
community, leaving those with opposingview- notbelongin thesuburbs, which indicates that
pointsfeelingintheminority,makingthemless possumsdonotfittheirdescriptionofadesired
likely to speak their minds. This situation can species. This leads to the questions: what types
lead to certain views, eventually exerting lit- of wildlife are desired in suburbia and why
tle influence despite the fact they are actually somepeopleconsiderpossumsundesirable?
widely held (Noelle-Neumann 1991). A spiral These questions were not addressed in the
ofsilence can alter a persons attitude to an is- present study; however, research conducted by
sue, as it has been shown that people tend to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
expressattitudesinlinewithwhattheyperceive (2002) has provided some insight. Their study
to bethepublicconsensus (Evelandetal. 1995, found that possums were among the most un-
cited in Sparks 2006) andwhen uninformed or welcome species in suburban backyards, with
unsure about an issue, their opinions can be undesirable species attributes being ‘noisy’,
heavily influenced by the opinions of others ‘potentialto cause damage to home orgardens’
(Deckeretal 2001). and‘annoying’.Conversely,desirablespeciesat-
Additionally,theattitudesofothershavebeen tributes included ‘cute appearance’ and ‘good
theorisedtoinfluencepeoplesactualbehaviour. image/reputation’. This information may assist
FishbeinandAjzen (1975) developedatheoret- in changing public attitudes toward possums
ical modelwhichsuggestedthatattitudinaland in thesuburbs. Whenyouconsiderthata‘good
normative social influences can be viewed as image/reputation’ is deemed a desirable fac-
determinants ofbehaviour. That is, our behav- tor, it may partially explain why possums are
iour is influenced by our own attitudes toward considered unwelcomebysome sections ofthe
the behaviour in addition to our beliefs about community. As previously discussed, a ‘good
other peoples attitudes (McKnight and Sutton image/reputation’ is something that has gener-
1994). allynotbeen associatedwith possums.
This may contribute to why many people Perhaps ifthe media focused on the positive
who have no experiences with possums con- attributes ofpossums their acceptance in sub-
sider them to be a pest and have negative at- urbia would improve. The image portrayed at
titudes toward them. Considering Papadakis’ themomentisthatof‘urbanpest’.Thisneedsto
(1996, p.164) statementthat ‘information from givewayto an image ofa native species whose
the media is crucial in framing and forming presence can be enjoyed. This is aviewofpos-
public opinion it seems highly likely that the sums shared by a significant proportion ofthe
concentration of negative possum stories has community, even those who may have previ-
influenced public opinion. A shift in the way ously had negative experiences, as illustrated
the mediapresents possums to the community from the following quote taken from a Possum
mayhelp improve the chance ofthe public ac- Experiencesurvey:
ceptingtheirpresence in suburbia.
Itis concerningto findthat almosttwo thirds Weblocked theholesin thehousebuthadready
loiffethsehocuolmdmbueneintcyoueirtahgeerddiindtnhoetsfueeblurtbhastowrilfedl-t se2xeppeeomrseisdeunacmefabifroorxcemosmypiyrnootumrniegsesedaa.u.r.gohAutenfrda.nttahsetigcalredaernn.inIgt
thatonlycertainspecies shouldbeencouraged.
Residents in Sydney, Australia, have shown a This quote also demonstrates the ability of
similardivisioninwillingnesstoenjoythepres- positive interactionswith wildlifeto change at-
ence of urban wildlife (NSW National Parks titudes and contribute to learning. Attitudinal
and Wildlife Service 2002) indicating that this and behavioural changes are often stronger if
isnotalocalphenomenonbutthattheproblem they are achieved through hands-on experi-
ismorewidespread. Itisinterestingtonotethat ences compared to traditional learning (Bald-
ofthosewhodidfeelwildlifeshouldbeencour- win 1995). However, although interacting with
aged in suburbia, a large proportion felt that wildlife may lead to more positive attitudes, if
possums did notbelong there. This maybe ex- individuals are not willing to allow for such
8 TheVictorianNaturalist
Research Reports
interaction, there is little hope for attitudinal er, it is notjustpossums that urbanites need to
and behavioural change. Community educa- learntolivewith, noristhesituation uniqueto
tion programs can onlygo so farbecause such Australia; communities across the globe need
programstendtoattractonlyinformedanden- to learn to live with and connect with urban
thusiastic members ofthe community, missing biodiversity. To this end, the media may have
those most in need ofeducation. (Davies and an important role to play, along with school-
Webber 2004). This problem is evident from based educators; with both having potential to
the study by Miller et al. (1999), which found shape future attitudes towardwildlife in urban
thatrespondentswithnegativeattitudestoward landscapes.
possumshadlessinterestinlearningaboutpos-
Acknowledgements
sums. Thus, changing their attitudes through
Thestudywas fundedbyDeakin University’sSchool
educationmayprovedifficult,assuchindividu- of Life and Environmental Sciences and approved
als have lowlevels ofinterest in learningmore. by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics
Forthesereasons,educationofchildrenmaybe Sub-Committee (Faculty of Science and Technol-
a more effectivewayofshapingcommunityat- ogy) (reference #004-06). Special thanks to all par-
titudestowardpossums. ticipantswhogaveuptheirtimetoparticipateinthis
research.
Theattitudes ofchildren arestillformingand
studieshaveshownthatchildren areable to al- References
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(Ballantyne et al 2001; Vaughan et al 2003; hinanbdu-srhelaarneddnReianrgtSayidlnePyo.ssWiulmdslif(ePsReeusdeoacrhcehi2r3u,s9p9e-r1e0g8r.inus)
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oftenchangetheirenvironmentalbehavioursto Stats: Melbourne (StatisticalDivision). Retrieved October
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2001). Ifwe are able to create hands-on learn- tionBiology9,240-241.
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bring may go a long way to increase positive dies-Socialresearchinformingthepracticeofmainstream
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benefits ofchildhood education cannot be un- lifeSociety:Bethesda,Maryland)
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perceptionofpossums,andthisneedstobead- Fistihobne,inand BeahnadvioArj:zeAnnIIn(t1r9o7d5u)ctiBoelnieft,o TAthteiotruyde,anIdntReen--
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mcoamymhuenliptiymptroolviveetahleonwiglsliidnegpneossssuomfst.heHgorweeatve-r HilalppNrJo,aCcahr.bHeurymaKnADainmdenDseiaonnesEofMWi(l2d0li0f7e)1H,u2m4-a4n7-.Possum
Vol 127 (1) 2010 9
Research Reports
ciomnpflliiccattiinonusrbfoarnsSpyedcnieeys,mAaunsatrgaelmiea:ntP.ubHliucmpaenrceDpitmieonnssiaonnds SpEardkMsGSGere(n2a0.06()SuMreredyiaBeEaftfteyct8scRSeosnesa:rcShy:dnaeBya)sicOverview.
MHKHeauollHi2Tondil7nwrfcufes5girWrvm.toctiRaoehanllnEdoASdnu,dsloSReuiDsaSfr(RMo(nCeu2tJc1ds0)iS,o190et2w92vtK,Tra6yu)eea)r.lr1ehpdUl0la(eTe1nnIwcTh-.dsiue1JLllel1A(adar3VlnSa..idam(nSfl1iIidPeune9treg9cheBeM5shsr.os)aaoif:nHngmCLgheiWmitiraaofananesmA:gllhI?mdDisBninoSsHogot(unlutif2notom0gAu,Bn0iuat6r3,csi/nua)to7slDrnh/WaDCDt0liPhia)i2rmviaeyeepl,s.rnsasps:P2ripi1oetW..osyanps2sasuu7hnbm3o--d-,f vTTTuaaelDLmw1rn(milie2raTbvb/amdrdhie7nyieedonr/tanrggm0IwtsM5iswiiR(JlAionoep2dt,.gnnle0(his02e1fWB50f3RWeora)f.0iifedl5scg(d)psWWthl2eiwisit0cllofG0idieAdron4le.ibt)sDtNfb(hheepCl:Teairi2ihogntv,Bntherdaeegb1ullco-Csuitm2uoeumiP0or-rppor.nsadnea:ttes:cgt,lsatiTl:artCshduBHosAederfe)KensoHsusaru.(iredmn1blwga9aWaat9namyni7iv,ooes)endarsNAetAhltSripietoappWyin.trt)iouHLondaeunegcamsdhaetatnrhotnd,e-o
MMcaNtIEWKtandiSintllsWhidUPleg:rDoiwhbfsSsateLsynuu8AdJ,m,nnWasn2eiLn:8leyudd7)yCnl-ihnS3afu0aeent6:ymdt.pMoDSino,orBWJneua(rpo1gTlfi9hen9tas.4hn)eK(Ms,SReuooaecbynituadasrllbHTZsPaohsoroeyrldcEohyOygoueJli,orc(ga2pytl0p.o0.Sr4(om)1Pce5riBn9eert-ntuo1tysr6ihs8co.-?ef VapsfBmTuaetuhagcroratemhrgnnyaimotnnfaosM.,rleeC(njsea,uRvtnsoiGsodtyrafasocctlMnohokememZmleoJem,EnbouytSlooenaoofu,igllrtiotnphcerypeeada.luczm-chaeS1aanmod5ptocb9otii-eeoHe1rrant6tssy8la?o:a.nonsIdAfnErsNdRescUSscathroWuyobrdoD:adRylnsSoLc(ytWfhu2eidil0inlnlln0dndetl3treyie)hef)yrenegT,:ewahnMhnteeohodreerlaife-eSr-
MiplHaloleslrs:uKSmKys,d:nBeAryo)nwenedPRfoarnedduTceamtiboyn?I (T1h9e99V)icAttotriitaundeNsattuorwaalridsst VomtliekonnTtaLallaaEnnddducCiahnteitaoeknrcM3o4Jm,m(1u22n0-i02t13y.)Tlehaerneifnfegc.tsJooufrannalenovfiErnovnimreonn--
NS11W6,Na1t2i0o-n1a26l.ParksandWildlifeService(2002)Urbanwild- tnailty.edJuocuartniaolnofpErnovgirraomnmoenntsatludEednutcsa,tpiaornen3t4s,,1a2n-d15.commu-
lt(irfNieeSrvWeednNeMawtaailrocn“hGarl2oP2w,air2nk0gs0a6c,onndfseWrriolvmdalt<iihfotentSpie:nr/vu/irwcbwew:a.nHnuacrtosimtomvinulnaliletp)ia.erRske”s-.. WedWsiatlmdaBlgiCfee,aSndodeceiPreatdryeknBhsuuilrtlyse,ttiaJnnA3d0(,s2t01a03k29e)-h1oI4ln7dt.eerraactttiiotnusdebseitnwVeierngidneiear.
nsw.gov.au/pdfs/urban_wildlife_research_report.pdf> WhitingAEandMillerKK(2008)ExaminingtheLivingwith
Noelle-NeumannE(1991)Thetheoryofpublicopinion:The PossumspolicyinVictoria,Australia: Communityknowl-
concept ofthe spiral ofsilence. In Communication Year- edge,supportandcompliance.PacificConservationBiology
book, 14 pp. 256-287. Ed JA Anderson (Sage: Newbury 14, 169-176.
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PieCrhcaengCeL.,(MCaanmfbrreiddogeMUJniavnedrsViatsykPereJsJs:(2N0e01w)YSoorcki)alscience mTarlisc.hoIsnurTuosovcluolspeefcourlacofmiftoirntt:oCgoennteernatliopuesrcisesputeisoinnshoufmaanni--
DtWheielcodklreiirfe,esTMinaLnwBailrgdoelwimfneenamtnadninaWgNeFomretSnhiteAm.mereI.nriH(cTuahm,eappWn.ilD3d9il-im5fe6en.sSioEcodinsestDyoJ:f SWwiylddMnleeiifyke)leen.co(uRnotyearls,Zopop.lo3g3i-c4a4l.SEodcsieDtyLoufnNneeyw,SAouMtuhnWnalaensd:
Bethesda,MD)
PietschRS(1994)ThefateofurbanCommonBrushtailPos-
sums translocated to sclerophyll forest. In Reintroduction Received26February2009;accepted15October2009
biologyofAustralianandNewZealandFauna,pp.239-246.
One Hundred Years Ago
EXCURSIONTOALEXANDRA-AVENUE, &c.
BY CHAPMAN
F.
NINETEEN members and friends, assembled at Prince's Bridge on Saturday afternoon, 26th February,
for thepurpose ofexaminingthegeological features ofthelowerYarra and theinstructive road-sections
exposedonthesouthsideoftheriver.Theweatherwasallthatcouldbedesired,beingdelightfullyfineand
cool.Turningto theleftfromtheSt. Kilda-road,pastthe Immigrants' Home,thechiefgeologicalfeatures
ofthelocalitywerepointedoutbytheaidofasketch map. The formercourseoftheYarratowards South
Melbournewasremarkedupon,asseeninthesiteofswampsformerlycrossingtheSt. Kilda-roadandthe
presentAlbertParkLagoon.TheprominentrivercliffsoftheSouthYarraSilurianwerenoticed,wherethey
beginto risein frontoltheartificiallytruncatedmoundonwhich standstheQueen'sstatue. Someofthe
red sands from the capping ofthe Silurian hills hadbeen excavated and thrown down atthe backofthe
homeaforesaid,andtherewasalsoasmallheapofrubblySilurianatthesameplace,probablyaremnantof
theheapsofdebriswhichhadalreadyaffordedoneofourmemberssomechoicespecimensoftheslender
Orthoceras-likeshell,Protobactrites andaCraniella.Theoldpumpingstationwaslocated,andthequarry
,
attheside,whichhadinformertimesyieldedquitearichharvesttoafewofourindefatigablecollectors.
From The VictorianNaturalistXXVI,p. 184,April7, 1910
10 TheVictorian Naturalist