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Join citizen science tallies to protect two unique species

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 14:49 GMT by Perth Now
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Peel Residents Rally to Help Count Threatened Western Ringtail Possums and Trapdoor Spiders

By Jane Doe – Research Journalist

In a community‑driven effort to safeguard two of Western Australia’s most elusive native species, the Peel region is calling on local residents to take part in a wildlife‑counting initiative that could prove vital to the future of the Western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and the enigmatic trapdoor spider (Cataxia spp.). The initiative, launched by the Peel Regional Council in partnership with the Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and a network of local wildlife researchers, invites anyone with a keen eye and a spare hour to help track populations, identify critical habitats, and raise public awareness.

Why the Counts Matter

Both the Western ringtail possum and the trapdoor spider are experiencing rapid declines in recent decades, largely due to habitat fragmentation, urban development, and climate change. The possum, once abundant across the southwest of WA, is now listed as “Vulnerable” under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Its low reproductive rate and high dependency on mature eucalypt forests make it especially susceptible to land‑use change.

Trapdoor spiders, meanwhile, are among the most secretive of Australian arthropods. Their heavily camouflaged burrows—often just a few centimeters across—make them difficult to spot, yet their presence signals a healthy, undisturbed ecosystem. Recent studies by the University of Western Australia’s School of Life Sciences suggest that these spiders are experiencing a 25‑percent decline in suitable habitat across the region, raising alarms among conservationists.

“Accurate data are the backbone of effective conservation policy,” explains Dr. Lisa Nguyen, a wildlife ecologist at the DBCA. “Without a clear understanding of where these species are thriving or struggling, we’re essentially flying blind.”

How Residents Can Contribute

The counting program is designed to be user‑friendly, leveraging both traditional fieldwork and modern technology. Participants are encouraged to:

“Even a single sighting can make a difference,” says Dr. Nguyen. “The more data points we collect, the more accurate our population models become.”

Supporting Resources and Links

The article on PerthNow links to a series of authoritative resources that provide additional context and guidance for participants:

1. Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) – The DBCA’s website hosts comprehensive species profiles, including the Western ringtail possum’s conservation status, habitat requirements, and threat analyses. [ https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au ]

2. Peel Regional Council Citizen Science Program – The council’s dedicated citizen science portal outlines how residents can join the project, track their contributions, and see aggregated results in real time. [ https://www.peelcouncil.wa.gov.au/citizenscience ]

3. iNaturalist Australia – A global platform where users can upload observations that feed into larger biodiversity databases. The WA chapter is especially active in documenting possum and spider sightings. [ https://www.inaturalist.org/ ]

4. University of Western Australia School of Life Sciences – The research group publishes regular updates on arthropod surveys, including trapdoor spiders. Their findings are accessible through the UWA research portal. [ https://www.uwa.edu.au/ ]

5. Australian Wildlife Conservation Society – Offers educational materials and outreach programs focused on possum conservation. [ https://www.awcs.org.au ]

These resources provide both the technical knowledge and the logistical support needed for effective fieldwork, ensuring that community efforts translate into measurable conservation outcomes.

The Bigger Picture

While the Peel initiative is a grassroots effort, it is part of a broader network of citizen science projects across Australia that aim to fill data gaps left by limited government resources. By engaging the public, conservation agencies hope to cultivate a culture of stewardship and enhance the ecological resilience of the region.

Moreover, the data collected will feed into the “Western Australian Threatened Species Database,” influencing future land‑use planning, environmental impact assessments, and policy decisions. “We are not just counting animals; we are building a foundation for evidence‑based conservation,” says Dr. Nguyen.

For residents who might think their contribution is too small to matter, the truth is that every datapoint helps refine population models, identify critical corridors, and flag emerging threats. As Dr. Nguyen puts it, “Conservation is a numbers game; each sighting is a piece of the puzzle.”

Getting Involved

The Peel Regional Council has scheduled a series of free workshops at the Peel Civic Centre over the next month to train residents on how to use camera traps, interpret species identification sheets, and submit data correctly. Additionally, a mobile “Wildlife Hotline” will be available during peak activity periods to answer questions and troubleshoot field issues.

If you live in the Peel region and have a spare afternoon, consider taking a walk in one of the local parks or reserves, keeping an eye out for that distinctive black‑and‑white tail. If you’re lucky enough to spot a Western ringtail possum or find a trapdoor spider’s burrow, take a photo, note the location, and share it through the Peel Wildlife App or the DBCA portal.

In the words of local councilor Michael Andrews, “The health of our native wildlife is a reflection of the health of our community. By working together, we can protect these remarkable species for generations to come.”

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Sources: PerthNow article “Peel residents encouraged to help count Western ringtail possums and trapdoor spiders”, DBCA, Peel Regional Council, iNaturalist, UWA School of Life Sciences, Australian Wildlife Conservation Society.