ACT Parks and Conservation has announced that all reserve sites and unleased lands that were closed for the annual kangaroo cull have been reopened.
Director of Parks and Conservation, Daniel Iglesias said the sites were Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve (and adjoining land), Callum Brae Nature Reserve, East Jerrabomberra Grasslands, Googong Foreshores, Goorooyaroo Nature Reserve, Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve, Isaacs Pines, Kama Nature Reserve, Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve (eastern slopes), Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve and West Majura Grasslands.
He said the sites had been closed since 7 May and a total of 3,253 kangaroos have been culled to protect these grassland and woodland sites from overgrazing.
“Of these, 1,822 were culled within the ACT and 1,431 were culled at Googong Foreshores in NSW,” Mr Iglesias said.
He said Googong Foreshores contains a number of threatened ecological communities and plant and animal species.
“It forms part of a corridor of relatively intact vegetation extending from the Tinderry Range to the north eastern ACT, so this cull will help protect the area, including the ACT’s water supply,” Mr Iglesias said.
He said the cull was undertaken without incident.
“Many of these sites are challenging in that they are small reserves located on the urban fringe,” Mr Iglesias said.
He said it was 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.
“We are pleased to be able to announce the early reopening of the reserves and thank the public for their understanding and cooperation while the reserves have been closed,” Mr Iglesias said.
He said the kangaroo management program played a critical role in protecting the environment at these locations.
“Ensuring they are not overgrazed will help to protect our grasslands and woodlands, which provide habitat for creatures such as lizards and ground-feeding birds, and will avoid excessive soil loss whilst still maintaining sustainable numbers of kangaroos,” Mr Iglesias said.
“An ACT Government veterinary officer undertook spot checks during the program and found the cull was undertaken humanely in accordance with a strict code of practice.”
