2022 Eastern Grey Kangaroo conservation cull

Released 29/04/2022

Some nature reserves and adjacent Territory land will be closed from 23 May to allow the conservation cull of Eastern Grey Kangaroos to occur.

Nine reserves in Canberra Nature Park will be closed overnight from Sunday to Thursday to allow for the safe delivery of the annual conservation cull. The nature reserves will remain open during the day and from Friday mornings to Sunday afternoons.

“We aim to remove 1,650 kangaroos from nine priority reserves to help maintain appropriate grazing pressure in our grassy ecosystems,” Executive Branch Manager of ACT Parks and Conservation Service Stephen Alegria said.

“For the first time, a conservation cull will be undertaken at Red Hill Nature Reserve to manage unsustainable numbers. In addition, access to the entirety of Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve will be restricted during the closure periods.

“The ACT Government is committed to evidence-based kangaroo management, including fencing, fertility control and culling. Operations are also undertaken in conjunction with other forms of grazing management, like rabbit control, burning and strategic livestock grazing, which enable us to achieve conservation outcomes in the face of fluctuating climatic conditions.

“Kangaroos are important to the ecosystems around Canberra, however managing kangaroo numbers is vital for the wellbeing of the environment and the many plants and animals that call our reserves home.

“The ACT Government has been undertaking kangaroo management for over a decade with the goal of improving the resilience of our grassy landscapes to the unpredictable Australian climate. Kangaroo management, including culling and fertility control, is based on ecological assessments at each location and only take place if densities are found to be above the level deemed appropriate for biodiversity conservation.

“The conservation cull is undertaken in strict accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes. The ACT also employs additional measures so that best-practice animal welfare standards are met and exceeded.

“Warning signs will be placed at all entry points to the reserves, surveillance cameras will be used, and reserves will be patrolled by Parks and Conservation Service staff during operations to maximise safety to the public.

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

The reserves to be closed include:

Sites will re-open from 31 July. They may open earlier if the program is completed sooner.

Detailed closure times are available on the Environment website.

For more information on kangaroo management in the ACT, please visit the Environment website.

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

- Statement ends -

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