The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has completed its annual cull of eastern grey kangaroos, with five nature reserves now fully open.
Director of ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Daniel Iglesias said 1,505 Eastern Grey Kangaroos were removed from several priority reserves within Canberra Nature Park to protect critically endangered species and ecosystems.
“While kangaroos are an important part of these ecosystems, research demonstrates that overgrazing caused by too many kangaroos, particularly in priority conservation areas, can threaten the survival of critically endangered species and ecosystems,” Mr Iglesias said.
“As the land manager, the Parks and Conservation Service has a responsibility to manage kangaroo populations and reduce the potential for overgrazing,” he said.
“Nobody likes shooting kangaroos, however, we accept it’s the most humane method of kangaroo population management currently available to the ACT Government in its role as a responsible land manager.”
Mr Iglesias said the cull was undertaken in strict accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes as well as with additional measures employed by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
He said the Service employed additional measures so that best-practice animal welfare standards were met and exceeded.
“This year, a proportion of kangaroo carcasses were provided to an endangered native species breeding program,” he said.
“Government will continue to pursue carcass utilisation opportunities to reduce waste and where possible support other conservation programs.”
Mr Iglesias said reserves, which were closed at times to allow culling to be undertaken, were now fully re-opened to the public, including Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve; Mount Majura Nature Reserve; East Jerrabomberra Grasslands; Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve; and Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary.
