ACT Parks and Conservation Service has announced that Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve in Gungahlin has been closed to the public to allow the removal of rabbits and hares from the area.
Director of the Service, Daniel Iglesias said the move was part of the expansion of the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary.
“The 801-hectare sanctuary extension, which includes Goorooyarroo and the Throsby offset area, will be closed until 1 March,” Mr Iglesias said.
“During this time, rabbit and hare populations within the area will be managed through various techniques including 1080 poison baiting, harbour removal and shooting, which will be carried out by highly-trained Parks and Conservation rangers.”
He strongly advised people not access the reserve during this time.
“Parts of the Centenary Trail that run through the reserve will also be deviated to the outside of the sanctuary,” Mr Iglesias said.
“Signage will be in place.”
He said the 12.5-kilometre predator-proof fence that surrounded Goorooyarroo and the Throsby offset area were completed in December last year.
“Rabbit and hare management is the first priority for pest animal control before we start targeting foxes and feral cats,” Mr Iglesias said.
He said the control program followed on from the successful work done in the original sanctuary which was so successful that no rabbits or hares had been seen or reported in the sanctuary since September 2016.
