Nick Kirk and Geoff Kaine

Getting people to carry out possum control in their backyards is a key part of the Predator Free Dunedin vision.

A new study from Manaaki Whenua builds on previous research on attitudes towards possum control in Dunedin to determine the potential barriers for people to get involved with trapping.

In the original study, a survey of 404 people living in Dunedin found there is widespread support for possum control. More than three-quarters (85%) of people believe possum populations should be reduced to protect native birds and wildlife, plants and forest — but very few of these people (12%) were actively involved with trapping possums.

Researchers used these results to classify residents who do not trap into four segments (hot, warm, lukewarm and cold) to reflect their willingness to start trapping possums and carried out semi-structured interviews to explore the barriers to possum trapping in Dunedin.

What are the barriers to possum trapping?

Having evidence to cement our understanding of barriers to possum control is of immense benefit to Predator Free Dunedin and the wider vision to remove possums, rats and mustelids from New Zealand by 2050.

The following outcomes were identified in this study, confirming our anecdotal observations, and allowing us to proceed in a more informed and strategic way:

1. Some residents don’t think possums are a problem.

2. Some have concerns around animal welfare and an aversion to killing an animal.

3. Some lack the knowledge, material and physical ability to trap possums.

4. Some are sceptical about whether trapping makes a difference.

Recommendations

Researchers also developed recommendations for Predator Free Dunedin to overcome the barriers outlined in their work. These may also be applicable to other groups working towards the ambitious goal of Predator Free 2050.

1. Improve the awareness of residents in Dunedin on the need to trap possums in Dunedin to achieve the goal of possum eradication, ensuring they understand that eradication can only be achieved by coordinating and working together and that modern traps are safe for pets.

2. Minimise the amount of effort required by residents to get involved with possum trapping by supplying, delivering and installing free or low-cost traps. In some cases, helping them to monitor, clear and maintain these traps.

3. Improve understanding and awareness of residents of possum populations in Dunedin (e.g. mapping their distirbution or habitats across the city).

4. Coordinate trapping across neighbourhoods and publicise the benefits of this coordination to residents.

5. Prioritise residents who would be included in the “hot” and “warm” segments, (i.e. those who are more supportive of trapping) before approaching those in the “lukewarm” segment.

Publications

Predicting People’s Motivation to Engage in Urban Possum Control (Conservation, 2021).