ACT Parks and Conservation Service has announced that reserves closed for the annual kangaroo conservation cull have now reopened.
The reopened reserves are Callum Brae Nature Reserve, Crace Nature Reserve, East Jerrabomberra Grasslands, West Jerrabomberra Grasslands, Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, Gungaderra Nature Reserve, Kama Nature Reserve, Mulanggari Grasslands, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve, Mount Majura Nature Reserve and Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve.
Acting Director of the Service, Justin Foley said a total of 4,035 kangaroos were culled as part of the continuing program to protect grassland and woodland sites from overgrazing.
“An ACT Government veterinary officer undertook spot checks during the program and found the kangaroos were killed humanely,” Mr Foley said.
“This kangaroo management program plays a critical role in protecting the environment at these locations.”
He said that ensuring the grasslands and woodlands were not overgrazed would help protect them as habitat for creatures such as lizards and ground-feeding birds and would avoid excessive soil loss whilst still maintaining sustainable numbers of kangaroos.
“This year’s cull was the largest undertaken in the history of the program in terms of numbers and sites to be targeted. This was due to prevailing dry conditions across Canberra Nature Park which have resulted in a decrease in grassy habitat across many of our reserves.”
Mr Foley said many of the sites were challenging in that they were small reserves located on the urban fringe.
“It is a credit to the professionalism of the contractors and staff from ACT Parks and Conservation Service who were able to deliver the work safely and effectively.”
He said advertised closures for Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve for the purpose of rabbit eradication would continue until 5 October.
Mr Foley said the reopened sites had been closed since 7 May.
