2020 Eastern Grey Kangaroo conservation cull begins in June


Released 12/06/2020

Some nature reserves and adjacent territory land will be closed from 15 June to allow the annual conservation cull of Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

Nine of the 37 Canberra Nature Park nature reserves will be closed in the evenings from Sunday to Thursday to allow for the safe delivery of the conservation cull, but will remain open during the day and will be open on weekends from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.

“We aim to remove 1958 Eastern Grey Kangaroos from nine priority reserves. There will be no cull in the fire-affected Namadgi National Park or Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and none of the reserves where culling will take place have been impacted by bushfires,” ACT Parks and Conservation Service Director, Justin Foley, said.

“We have modified the 2020 program to ensure it complies with COVID-19 protocols and to reflect that more people are currently using our reserves due to pandemic restrictions

“We are confident this number will let us achieve high animal welfare and priority conservation outcomes while maintaining public, staff and contractor safety.

“Kangaroos are an integral part of the ecosystems around Canberra and we hope the community will understand that the conservation cull is vital for the wellbeing of the environment and the many plants and animals that call our reserves home. Research demonstrates that overgrazing by kangaroos, particularly in critical conservation areas, can threaten the survival of local grassland sites and species.

“Although the grass is green due to recent rain, the ecosystem is still fragile; the animals that rely on the grasses for food, shelter and breeding purposes, including several endangered species, are still recovering from extended hot and dry conditions.

“We must continue to manage kangaroos to reduce grazing pressure and help our nature reserves maintain resilience against the effects of climate change into the future.”

“Nobody likes shooting kangaroos, however we accept it’s the most humane method of kangaroo population management available to the ACT Government as a responsible land manager.

“All shooters adhere strictly to the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes.

“To help improve public safety and detect illegal activity, warning signs will be placed at all entry points to the reserves, surveillance cameras used and reserves patrolled by Parks and Conservation Service staff during culling operations.

“If you see anyone vandalising or removing warning signs or doing other illegal activities that put the public in danger, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Access Canberra on 13 22 81,” Mr Foley said.

The reserves to be closed include:

Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve

Isaacs Ridge Mature Reserve

Mt Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve

Crace grasslands Nature Reserve

Gungaderra Grasslands Nature Reserve

Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve

Goorooyaroo Nature Reserve

West Jerrabomberra Nature Reserve

Callum Brae Nature Reserve

Sites will re-open from the 1st of August, or earlier if the program is completed sooner.

More information and detailed closure times are available from https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/urban-wildlife/kangaroos

Note to media: The Manager of ACT Parks and Conservation Service and ACT Government ecologists are available to discuss the environmental reasons for the cull.

- Statement ends -

ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

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