The ACT Government wishes to advise that a conservation cull to reduce overpopulation of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and protect biodiversity in some Canberra nature reserves will be undertaken this Winter.
“The conservation cull of up to 1,455 eastern grey kangaroos is needed to maintain populations at appropriate levels to minimise impact on other flora and fauna,” said Daniel Iglesias, Director of Parks and Conservation.
“The impact of overgrazing on our grasslands and grassy woodlands and the species that rely on them, such as the Grassland Earless Dragon, the Striped Legless Lizard and the Button Wrinklewort, can be easily seen in the deterioration of our nature reserves.
“The numbers to be culled have been based on scientific kangaroo counts in each location. This is then compared to what ACT Government ecologists establish as the sustainable carrying capacity for each area, taking into account the habitat requirements of grassland dependent animals and plants.
“Ensuring the grasslands and woodlands are not overgrazed will protect threatened species and ecosystems, provide habitat for creatures such as lizards and ground-feeding birds, prevent excessive soil loss and maintain sustainable numbers of kangaroos.
“The conservation cull will be conducted according to a strict Code of Practice that has the endorsement of all relevant authorities including the RSPCA. Rangers and security staff will patrol areas to ensure the safety of the public with warning signs also being installed at all entry points to the reserves.
“This year we will be using up to 20% of the kangaroo meat to make baits to use in our wild dog and fox control programs. This is in response to community concern that kangaroo meat was going to waste.
“The conservation cull implements part of the Kangaroo Management Plan, released in 2010, which sets out the ACT Government’s approach to managing kangaroos to ensure their numbers are maintained at a sustainable level into the future. This Plan, which was independently peer reviewed, is underpinned by a large body of scientific evidence, referencing over 400 documents.”
This conservation cull will be undertaken in conjunction with other land management activities the ACT Government undertakes on these nature reserves such as weed management, rabbit control and supporting ParkCare volunteers. The sites to be closed for the conservation cull are Callum Brae Nature Reserve, Goorooyaroo Nature Reserve and adjacent unleased territory land, Kama Nature Reserve, Mulanggari Nature Reserve, Mt Painter Nature Reserve, Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve and The Pinnacle Nature Reserve and adjacent unleased territory land.
Sites will be closed each night from 5.30 pm until 6 am the following morning between Friday 7 June 2013 and Wednesday 31 July 2013. The sites will re-open from Thursday 1 August 2013.
Further information is available from Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 or from www.tams.act.gov.au
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