Study

Survival of wild and hand-reared ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in bushland near Sydney

  • Published source details Augee M.L., Smith B. & Rose S. (1996) Survival of wild and hand-reared ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in bushland near Sydney. Wildlife Research, 23, 99–108.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Hand-rear orphaned or abandoned young in captivity

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Hand-rear orphaned or abandoned young in captivity

    A controlled study in 1990–1994 in a park in New South Wales, Australia (Augee et al. 1996) found that ringtail possums Pseudocheirus peregrinus released following hand-rearing, or relocated from elsewhere, survived for a shorter time than did resident possums. The average survival of released possums was 101 days and for resident possums was 182 days. There was no difference in survival between hand-reared or relocated possums. Deaths were mostly due to predation by mammals, reptiles and birds. For possums for which their fate was known, predation accounted for 98% of released and 81% of resident animals. Possums were monitored in a 4-km2 park, adjoining a suburban area. Released possums (112) included hand-reared orphaned animals (81) and those relocated from potentially dangerous situations (21). Resident possums (41) were wild animals that had not been moved or held in captivity. Possums were monitored by radio-tracking ≥twice/week.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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