As part of the ongoing management of rabbit and hare populations in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, the current control program will continue to take place in the Sanctuary throughout summer 2014-15.
“The program will involve shooting and fumigation methods which will be undertaken by highly qualified ACT Government rangers,” said Mark Sweaney, Ranger-in-Charge, Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. “This is an essential component of our scheduled annual control program.
“Our rangers will actively search for rabbits and hares and reassess previously controlled locations.”
Mr Sweaney said this is a jointly funded program between the Capital Woodlands and Wetlands Conservation Trust and the ACT Government.
“Since the formation of the Sanctuary in 2009, the ACT Government has been actively controlling feral pest species.
“As well as protecting the critically endangered yellow box–Blakely’s red gum grassy woodland, the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary aims to create an environment free of feral pests and allow for the reintroduction of animals that have long since disappeared from the region.
“While foxes and cats were removed within the first year of the Sanctuary’s operation and rabbit and hare populations have been reduced, it has proven more difficult to completely eliminate these pests. With the release of the eastern bettong into the Sanctuary, we need to further reduce the population of rabbits and hares in the area, to ensure the reintroduced species have the best chance.”
The Sanctuary will continue to be closed each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night between 8 pm and 6 am from Monday 24 November 2014 to Wednesday 25 February 2015.
Notification signage will be placed at all public entrances to the Sanctuary to alert people to the closure. Gates to the Sanctuary will also be locked to prevent access. As this is an ongoing project, the public will be notified if further work is done in the area.
For enquiries on the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary rabbit and hare control program please call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
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