Urban wildlife issues in Australia

Wildlife is common in urban areas of Australia. Human residents welcome most species of wildlife, and frequently design gardens or provide food to attract wildlife. A diverse range of problems caused by wildlife often creates controversy and calls for action to be taken by government wildlife agencies. Problems may threaten human health and safety or be expensive to rectify. Resolution of these problems provides a significant challenge for wildlife managers, since the credibility of a wildlife management organization and its ability to gain community support for its programs depend, to some extent, on how it manages conflict situations. Strategies employed by agencies to resolve these problems should be based on a sound understanding of the biological and behavioral characteristics of the wildlife involved. Understanding the attitudes and values of the various stakeholders is also critical to a successful outcome. In many cases, neither of these requirements is met, and strategies employed are, at best, short-term palliatives. At times, the measures adopted even worsen a problem. There are now several examples of problem definition and resolution that do address both the characteristics of the wildlife involved, and the human dimensions of the situation. The outcomes reflect the benefits of this approach. The importance of regular reinforcement of extension messages is emphasized.