Improving techniques for the WaxTag® 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 WaxTag®. 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 WaxTag®s has been developed, it is important to determine whether improvements can be made. This study investigated firstly whether luminescent-coloured WaxTag®s were more attractive than the WaxTag® with a ‘flour blaze’ and, secondly, whether raising the WaxTag®s 700 mm above the ground reduced detectability. Possums significantly preferred the flour blaze over luminescence and raising WaxTag®s did not significantly reduce detectability. Accordingly, WaxTag®s could be raised up above ground-dwelling non-target species without reducing statistical precision.