Western Ringtail Possums

The Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is a critically endangered arboreal marsupial that is only found in South Western Australia. It has been estimated that the remaining population size in the wild is less than 8,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing trend. Recent research predicts there is a 92% likelihood that they will be extinct within 20 years if action to protect populations and their habitat isn’t enacted immediately.

To find out more, including how to report a sighting, visit Nature Conservation.

Kangaroos

Living alongside kangaroos offers a wonderful opportunity to experience native wildlife, but it can sometimes cause problems too. Learn tips on co-existing with our local kangaroos.

About kangaroos and their protection

Yonga is the traditional name for the western grey kangaroo of the Wadandi (saltwater people) of the Dworden wongie – Aboriginal people of the south west boodjara (country) in WA.

Western grey kangaroos (Macrocarpus fuliginosus) are the largest and most visible native animal in the region. Kangaroos provide many benefits to residents. They help to maintain grasses, provide good fertiliser for gardens, and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

As Australian native wildlife, kangaroos are a protected species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and associated regulations. 

Kangaroo populations

Local kangaroo populations have increased rapidly in some of our rural and rural residential areas, with lawns, water sources and shady areas providing ideal living conditions for kangaroos.

Areas with large kangaroo populations can experience issues such as damage to gardens and fences, impacts to revegetated areas, vehicle collisions, and kangaroos becoming aggressive towards people and domestic pets.

Residents can take a number of actions to reduce the impacts of kangaroos on their property, while also helping to protect local kangaroo populations.

Fencing

Fencing around property boundaries can pose a risk to kangaroos by forcing kangaroos onto road verges, increasing the risk of vehicle collision, separating mothers and joeys, and limiting kangaroo movement and grazing space.

In rural residential areas, planning approval is required to install any property boundary fences. Find out about planning approval for fences.

Where possible, it is preferable to fence the building envelope only (e.g. buildings, gardens, and newly planted areas). This allows free movement by kangaroos and other wildlife through grassed areas or vegetation corridors, allowing them access to neighbouring areas, natural water sources, and trees and shady areas. It also helps kangaroos to disperse and avoid mob-clustering, making living in harmony with kangaroos easier.

Fencing building envelopes rather than property boundaries also has the added benefit of improving accessibility for fire suppression activities.

Planting

Native trees and shrubs can be planted as an alternative to fencing as a way of defining your property boundaries, with many positive benefits. Native plants will enhance the local amenity, provide habitat and food for wildlife, and if planted around property perimeters can create wildlife corridors.

The use of low flammability plants can provide more effective protection from fire closer to homes, and can be fenced to provide a yard to enclose the building envelope.

Local nurseries are well stocked with native species suitable for planting on your property, and have expert knowledge to draw on.

Protecting young trees or shrubs

When planting young trees or shrubs, it is necessary to protect the plants with strong tree guards so that kangaroos are not tempted to feed on new growth. Kangaroos can easily knock over tree guards that are not well secured.

Group and individual plantings can be temporarily fenced or netted. Some residents have chosen to establish netted orchards that protect fruit but allow wildlife movement around them.

Talk with your local nursery suppliers, or your neighbours who have established successful plantings.

Staying safe around kangaroos

Kangaroos are mostly docile but can be unpredictable when they feel threatened.

Do not walk directly towards a kangaroo, or go near kangaroos expressing dominating behaviour. Keep watch of your pets and prevent dogs from approaching kangaroos.

Never feed kangaroos, and limit any food and artificial water sources around your home.

If kangaroos pose a danger to humans or are causing economic damage to property, agricultural activity or infrastructure, further action may be necessary. Contact the Parks and Wildlife Service for assistance.

Driving

Be aware that kangaroos may cross roads at any time. Always be alert for wildlife feeding near the roadside and take particular care at dusk and dawn when kangaroos are active and lighting is poor.

When a kangaroo dies on your property

Please note that if an animal dies on your property it is your responsibility for disposal. Parks and Wildlife Service and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River are not obliged to assist.

Wadandi traditional information on Yonga

We acknowledge that this intellectual property belongs to Pibulmun Wadandi Yunungjarli Elder, Wayne Webb.

Yonga is the traditional name for the western grey kangaroo of the Wadandi (saltwater people) of the Dworden wongie (local dialect) – Aboriginal people of the south west boodjara (country) in Western Australia. Yonga is our dwordenup (totem).

It’s our responsibility to protect and manage this animal as it is our moort (family). For this reason, we only take 2-year old yonga for food and its spirit is sung; thanking it for giving its life to provide our mob with food. We don’t usually eat our totem as it’s our family, however we can provide to other families when we gather for ceremony or if it is offered to us in exchange for other merange (fruits/vegetables) or gilgit dartja (fish/meat).

Wadandi terminology    

  • General term for any kangaroo: Yungore'e
  • Male kangaroo: Yonga/Yongaa/Yongka
  • Female kangaroo: Woora/ Worra
  • Joey: Duttinge/Dutdinge
  • Kangaroo skin cloak/ clothing: Booka/Bookah
  • Men wear seven Yonga moba/mobaa (skins) sewn together
  • Women wear five Woora moba female kangaroo skins sewn together
  • Kangaroo skin bag : Koota/Kootah
  • Shoes (foot clothing): Djennabooka

Owls

The Shire has declared itself “owl friendly” and supports the protection of wildlife by discouraging the use of rodenticides that can poison our local native animals.

Not only can non-target animals eat these baits, they can also be harmed – and often killed – when they eat a mouse or rat that has died or is moving slowly from the poison.

By public declaring our region "owl friendly", we hope to discourage the use of these rodenticides and increase the uptake of more humane, environmentally-sensitive methods and products.

Some of the animals at risk include nocturnal birds like the Masked and Barn Owls, Boobook and Tawny Frogmouth, as well as diurnal birds of prey, Quenda, Possums, Chuditch and Phascogales.

The Shire already undertakes owl friendly pest management, but will expand its actions by reaching out to Shire-owned premises that coordinate their own rodent control, investigating how owl friendly measures can be incorporated into demolition requirements, distributing owl friendly information to businesses, and erecting owl friendly displays at Shire-owned libraries.

For more information visit Owl Friendly Margaret River.

Native birds

Interested in viewing and identifying native birds in our region? Visit Birdlife to access local bird guides.

Emergency care for wildlife

F.A.W.N.A Inc is a not for profit government approved wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation for sick, injured and orphaned native animals.  To find out what you should do if you find a sick or injured native animal, visit the FAWNA website

Injured or sick kangaroos can be reported through the Wildcare Helpline (08) 9474 9055.

Local vets can provide care for injured native wildlife if you are unable to contact the above organisations for advice. If you are able to safely and carefully capture and transport injured native wildlife to a local vets, they will be able to assist free of charge. The two local vet hospitals in Margaret River are Cape Creatures Vet Hospital on (08) 9757 9700, and Margaret River Vet Hospital on (08) 9757 2163.

Gardens for nature

Home gardens provide a fantastic opportunity to recreate habitats for our local wildlife.

Visit the Nature Conservation website for handy tips and information on how to plan and grow a garden for nature.  

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