Editing Common brushtail possum (section)

==Relationship with humans==
[[File:Baby common brushtail no 1.JPG|thumb|Abandoned joey handed to Fauna Rescue, [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]]]
The common brushtail possum is considered a pest in some areas, as it is known to cause damage to pine plantations, regenerative forest, flowers, fruit trees, and buildings. Like other [[Phalangeriformes|possums]], it is rather tolerant of humans and can sometimes be hand fed, although it is not encouraged, as their claws are quite sharp and can cause infection or disease to humans if scratched. It is a traditional food source for some Indigenous Australian groups.

===Australia===
Although once hunted extensively for its fur, the common brushtail possum is largely protected throughout Australia. Tasmania gives crop-protection permits to landowners whose property has been damaged.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/living-with-wildlife/living-with-brush-tailed-possums#:~:text=Remember%3A%20brush%2Dtailed%20possums%20are,especially%20when%20injured%20or%20afraid | title=Living with Brush-tailed Possums &#124; Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania }}</ref>

While its populations are declining in some regions due to habitat loss, urban populations indicate an adaptation to the presence of humans.<ref name="Roetman2009" /> In some mainland states, possum trapping is permitted when attempting to evict possums from human residences (e.g. roofs), but possums must be released after dusk within 24 hours of capture, no more than 50 m from the trapping site. In some states, e.g. Victoria, trapped possums may be taken to registered veterinarians to be euthanased.<ref name="VicGov2025" /> In South Australia, they are fully protected and permits are required for trapping possums in human residences<ref name="SAGovduplicate" /> or for keeping or rescuing sick or injured wild possums and other native animals.<ref name="SApermit" /> In Queensland, they can only be trapped by licensed commercial relocators who must release possums within {{Convert|25|m}} of the point of capture to ensure that an animal is not released into another possum's home range (possums are less likely to survive if they are released into a new area where they do not have access to a den or must compete with a neighbouring possum for den space).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-10-18|title=Brushtail possums|url=https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/brushtail-possum|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-29|website=Department of Environment and Science, Queensland|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308092238/https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/brushtail-possum |archive-date=2020-03-08 }}</ref>

===New Zealand===
{{Main|Common brushtail possum in New Zealand}}
Since its [[introduced species|introduction]] from Australia by European settlers in the 1850s, the common brushtail possum has become a major threat to New Zealand native forests and birds. It is also [[Bovine tuberculosis#New Zealand|a host]] for the highly contagious [[bovine tuberculosis]].<ref name="Meyer2000" /> This is not an issue in Australia, where the disease has been eradicated.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=More |first1=SJ |last2=Radunz |first2=B |last3=Glanville |first3=RJ |title=Lessons learned during the successful eradication of bovine tuberculosis from Australia. |journal=The Veterinary Record |date=5 September 2015 |volume=177 |issue=9 |pages=224–32 |doi=10.1136/vr.103163 |pmid=26338937 |pmc=4602242}}</ref>

By the 1980s, the peak population had reached an estimated 60–70 million, but is now down to an estimated 30 million due to control measures. The New Zealand Department of Conservation controls possum numbers in many areas via the aerial dropping of [[1080 usage in New Zealand|1080-laced bait]].<ref name="NZ1080" /> Hunting is not restricted, but the population seems to be stable despite the annual killing of thousands of the animals.<ref name="Meyer2000" />

===Hunting===
Possums are a pest in New Zealand and Tasmania, where they are [[cull]]ed for their meat and fur. However, due to ''[[tuberculosis]]'' being prevalent in many possums across most of New Zealand, possums are generally only eaten in [[Northland Region|Northland]], where the disease does not exist in possums. In Northland, possum meat has even been used in [[meat pie]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Sarah |date=25 Aug 2015 |title=Possum on menu in the Far North |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/71285746/possum-on-menu-in-the-far-north |access-date= |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

In Tasmania, possum meat is served at some restaurants. On [[Bruny Island]], possum meat is sold at Bruny Island Game Meats, which also sell it at [[farmer's market]]s, including in [[Hobart]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/06/06/3236877.htm | title=Having the locals for dinner: Putting possum on the menu - ABC (None) - Australian Broadcasting Corporation | website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] }}</ref>