Media Release
August 20 2008
Operation Possum is people-powered
Citizens
become the scientists during
Operation
Possum, a large-scale three-month study of the furry marsupials
launched at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus today.
Following the extraordinary success of last year’s Operation Bluetongue, UniSA and 891 ABC Adelaide have again joined forces, this time to find out about possums and how people interact with them.
Operation Possum is being conducted by researchers from UniSA - but they’re relying on the help of adults and school children across the State.
All South Australians are invited to play an active role in the study by completing a public questionnaire which is available online from today, Wednesday August 20, until November 20.
UniSA Professor of Urban Ecology, Chris Daniels said there was an overwhelming public response to Operation Bluetongue and he was hoping for a similar reaction to this study.
“Many people may only be aware of possums when they run across their roofs or make noise at night,” Prof Daniels said. “But possums are fascinating creatures and they are an important part of our urban ecology.
“We’re aiming to find out where possums are living, how people interact with them, and what people think of living close to wildlife. Interactions with wildlife are an important way in which people can connect with the natural environment around them.”
Operation Possum is an example of Citizen Science, a method of scientific data collection that is becoming popular internationally because it allows citizens to contribute to scientific research while also increasing public awareness of science, scientific methods, and scientific research.
In addition to the online survey, Operation Possum participants will be able to upload stories and photos, ask questions via an online blog. Schools are invited to write reports on their findings.
“Public participation allows scientists to gather a lot of information from a large area in a short period of time. Operation Possum would be impossible without help from the public,” Prof Daniels said.
To take part in Operation Possum, click here and you’ll also find fact sheets and interesting things to do including a colouring-in page, a board game, word games and crosswords.
And stay tuned to 891 ABC Adelaide!
Some possum facts...
- possums have lived in Australia for millions of years
- there are significant fossil possum sites at Lake Eyre, the Naracoorte Caves and Curramulka Cave on the Yorke Peninsula
- there are more than 60 species of possum
- Operation Possum focuses on five possum species – the common brushtail and ringtail possums; and the Western, Little and Eastern Pygmy-possums
Contacts for interview
- Prof Chris Daniels office (08) 8302 2317 email chris.daniels@unisa.edu.au
- Philip Roetman, research assistant office (08) 8302 2359 email philip.roetman@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
-
Vincent Ciccarello office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457
email vincent.ciccarello@unisa.edu.au