The Fate of Young Radiotagged CommonBrushtail Possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, in New Zealand Lowland Forest

Abstract

Twenty-nine newly independent juvenile common brushtail possums were radiotracked in dense lowland forest. In their first year of independence 10 died in the 16-ha area where they were first caught; six (including five males) dispersed. One of the males moved 6.8 km in the course of two nights. Contact with two animals was lost, and eleven (including nine females) remained as residents on their maternal home ranges.