Some of the region’s cutest critters will be in the spotlight at the latest community sundowner hosted by the Cape Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise (CNCE), with local wildlife experts helping residents work out whether that furry visitor in their backyard is actually a rat – or something much more special.
“Is it a rat, or…?” will be held at the Dunsborough and Districts’ Country Club on Wednesday 23 September, with doors opening at 5pm. The free event runs until 7pm and includes a light supper.
The idea for the evening came from CNCE officer Mandy Polley, who noticed a growing number of social media posts from residents asking for help identifying small mammals they had spotted around their homes and properties.
The Cape Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise is supported by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and the Friends of Meelup.
Jess Johnston from Biologic Consulting with Nature Conservation’s Mandy Polley
Confusion over rats versus native animals
“I was noticing a lot of posts from the community asking for help identifying an animal they’d observed, and whether it was a rat or a native mammal,” Mandy said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise awareness about our incredible and unique fauna, their distinguishing features and behaviours, and how to safely manage feral black rats on your property without harming native wildlife.”
The evening will feature presentations from two local wildlife specialists: zoologist Jess Johnston from Biologic Consulting and experienced wildlife carer Jo Kennedy from A Single Leaf South West.
They will introduce some of the small native mammals that share our region such as the quenda, rakali and phascogale, explaining the features, behaviours and clues that can help people identify what is scurrying through their gardens, bush blocks and backyards. And there may be a few surprises.
“Not every whiskered, furry visitor is a pest,” Mandy said. “Some of these animals are incredibly cute, fascinating native species that play an important role in our ecosystems. We want people to know what they’re looking at before they reach for a trap or assume the worst.”
A quenda or native bandicoot
Practical advice for managing rats
The event will also provide practical advice on managing introduced black rats safely, with a focus on avoiding accidental harm to native wildlife.
Mandy said learning to recognise native species was an important part of living alongside the region’s wildlife. “We have some amazing small mammals living right on our doorstep, but they can easily be overlooked or mistaken for introduced species,” she said. “Once you know what to look for, you start to see them in a completely different light. Hopefully people leave the evening with a little more knowledge, a lot more appreciation for our native fauna and some practical ideas for protecting it.”
The sundowner is part of CNCE’s program of community events designed to bring people together around the conservation of the Cape Naturaliste region and encourage greater understanding and stewardship of its unique environment.
“Is it a rat, or…?” is free, with doors opening at 5pm on Wednesday 23 September at the Dunsborough and Districts’ Country Club. The event runs from 5pm to 7pm and includes a free light supper. Tickets are available HERE.
Phascogales have bushy tails and are active during the night