13 May 2016

let's can the tram

| Michael Reid
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kangaroo

Almost 2,000 kangaroos will be culled across the ACT starting on Monday to protect grassland and woodland sites.

Ten nature reserves will be closed from mid to late afternoon until early morning over the coming months to allow a conservation cull of eastern grey kangaroos.

Daniel Iglesias, director of ACT Parks and Conservation, said the cull of up to 1991 eastern grey kangaroos was needed to protect biodiversity and maintain populations at appropriate levels to minimise impacts on other flora and fauna.

Mr Iglesias said government ecologists had taken into account the habitat requirements of grassland-dependent animals and plants.

“The numbers to be culled have been based on scientific kangaroo counts in each location,” he said.

“Culling of overabundant kangaroos is currently the most humane method of population control available to the ACT government as a responsible land manager.”

Vaccine trial

A fertility control vaccine is being tested as a potential non-lethal approach to managing eastern grey numbers. The two-year trial is taking place at several small sites across Canberra.

Mr Iglesias said ensuring the grasslands and woodlands were not overgrazed would protect threatened species and ecosystems, provide habitat for creatures such as lizards and ground-feeding birds, prevent excessive soil loss and maintain sustainable numbers of kangaroos.

“Every year we assess the population of eastern grey kangaroos at each site as well as take into account the quality of flora at each site to determine whether culling is required.

“Importantly, we also undertake the conservation cull in conjunction with other land management activities.

Other control measures

“Weed management and rabbit control is also conducted on each of the nature reserves where culling is being undertaken and ParkCare volunteers provide additional support through hundreds of hours of volunteer work.”

The 10 sites to be closed for the conservation cull are: Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, Gungaderra Nature Reserve, Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve (and adjacent unleased land), Kama Nature Reserve, Mount Majura Nature Reserve (and adjacent unleased land), Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, Mount Painter Nature Reserve, Mulanggari Nature Reserve, Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary and The Pinnacle Nature Reserve (and adjacent unleased land).

Goorooyaroo Nature Reserve, Gungaderra Nature Reserve, Kama Nature Reserve and Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary will be closed between 3pm and 7am each day.

The other sites will be closed from 5pm to 7 am each day. Sites will re-open from Monday 1 August 2016 or earlier if the program is completed sooner

Mr Iglesias said the cull would be conducted according to the relevant National Code of Practice.

Warning signs

Parks and Conservation Service staff will patrol areas to ensure the safety of the public.

Warning signs will be placed at all entry points to the reserves and surveillance cameras will be used to enhance public safety and detect illegal activity.

“I’d like to urge the public to be vigilant and report any illegal activity at affected nature reserves.

“Every year the ACT Government experiences vandalism and removal of warning signage which costs taxpayers’ money to repair the damage and disrupts the work of volunteer groups who help look after our parks.”

To report incidents of vandalism or suspicious behaviour please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

“Fines apply under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 for vandalising reserve infrastructure or entering closed reserves.”

The ACT government will use a proportion of the kangaroo meat to make baits for its wild dog and fox control programs.

 

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madelini said :

I wonder why they don’t cull the roos that eat and defacate all over the Radford college playing fields? I mean, dog owners have to clean the droppings left by their pets, who cleans the stuff left on the soccer field by these jumping rodents? It isn’t very pleasant to sit on the sidelines and realize the grass is littered with roo dung.

Dung is good.

Mordd said :

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

I think you are onto something. The ACT Govt could install “rabbit parking meters” in said trees, to reduce congestion. In fact, rabbits should be charged Annual Rates for building their houses underground.

And the 2007 ACT Labor Government Network Facilities Tax would apply as rabbit warrens are networks.

wildturkeycanoe9:42 am 18 May 16

I wonder why they don’t cull the roos that eat and defacate all over the Radford college playing fields? I mean, dog owners have to clean the droppings left by their pets, who cleans the stuff left on the soccer field by these jumping rodents? It isn’t very pleasant to sit on the sidelines and realize the grass is littered with roo dung.

Mysteryman said :

rommeldog56 said :

Paul Costigan said :

“They’ll soon be back, and in greater numbers”

There’d be plenty of land for the Roos if Andrew Barr stopped slinging land off to developers. The sprawl that is going on in the Territory at the moment is obscene.

I agree. Today, I listened to Mr Corbell salivating over the prospect of 500k residents in Canberra.

It will happen while Australia has such a large immigration intake. The fault lies with the Federal Governments. The states and territories have to absorb it. I know which party I am putting first in the Federal election.

Visualise “halal kangaroo meat” being sold at a supermarket near you.

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

I think you are onto something. The ACT Govt could install “rabbit parking meters” in said trees, to reduce congestion. In fact, rabbits should be charged Annual Rates for building their houses underground.

HenryBG said :

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

It is symbolic of our struggle against oppression.

What are they going to do with all the baby rabbits, living up in a tree? Keep them in a box?

HenryBG said :

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

It is symbolic of our struggle against oppression.

Symbolic of the protesters’ struggle against reality, more like…

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

It is symbolic of our struggle against oppression.

gooterz said :

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

That’s a bit deep for most of us.
That’s why they live underground.
Next thing someone lawyer advocate for the rabbits will be suing the Commonwealth for “allowing the rabbits to be brought into Australia against their will”

Well I saw one less for Simon to worry about. A ute between Hume and Jerra today; the roo zigged when it should have zagged.
And incidentally that land on the left from Jerra to Queanbeyan; its loaded with them. Lucky for them its NSW.
In fact I reckon I saw one noticed me ACT plate, then give me the paw as I drove past.

Acton said :

rommeldog56 said :

I was with a group of 5 people and I heard others grumbling about it as well. Is that accurate enough for you?
What are the problems with relocation then?

Well just off the top of my head, I imagine that kangaroo’s short arms make it very difficult for them to pack their belongings into boxes and carry them to the truck.

Ever watch that TV show “Skippy, the bush kangaroo” . Packin boxes ? no probs.

rommeldog56 said :

Paul Costigan said :

“They’ll soon be back, and in greater numbers”

There’d be plenty of land for the Roos if Andrew Barr stopped slinging land off to developers. The sprawl that is going on in the Territory at the moment is obscene.

I agree. Today, I listened to Mr Corbell salivating over the prospect of 500k residents in Canberra.

It will happen while Australia has such a large immigration intake. The fault lies with the Federal Governments. The states and territories have to absorb it. I know which party I am putting first in the Federal election.

Paul Costigan said :

“They’ll soon be back, and in greater numbers”

There’d be plenty of land for the Roos if Andrew Barr stopped slinging land off to developers. The sprawl that is going on in the Territory at the moment is obscene.

I agree. Today, I listened to Mr Corbell salivating over the prospect of 500k residents in Canberra.

carnardly said :

ungruntled said :

Rollersk8r said :

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

It is a denial of their basic leporine rights to arbitrarily prohibit rabbits from choosing to live in trees if that is what they desire.

But, but, they don’t have hands. How are they going to climb trees? With their teeth?

I am rooing the day I made any comment on this thread.

I’ve got an idea. Suppose we agree that rabbits can’t actually live in trees, not having hands, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’, but that they can have the right to live in trees.

Mordd said :

Why do they not just designate a couple of control areas? One reserve in which no culling is done and another in which the protestors agree not to interfere with the culling. Monitor the effects over a few years and see who is really right.

The protesters will NEVER agree to that. We are not talking facts here.

Why do they not just designate a couple of control areas? One reserve in which no culling is done and another in which the protestors agree not to interfere with the culling. Monitor the effects over a few years and see who is really right.

madelini said :

chewy14 said :

That link is about “translocation” whatever that means.
How come kangaroos are successfully moved to zoos all over the world then?

Translocation is the correct term and seems to be what you are talking about. The definition is in the first sentence of the link.
I didn’t say it is impossible but it’s two totally different things – moving an individual animal or two (and they are usually captive-bred anyway) and moving large numbers (how many are you planning on moving?)

I vote we translocate 100 kangaroos to the backyards of every one of these cull protesters, to help them understand the negative consequences of over-grazing.

chewy14 said :

That link is about “translocation” whatever that means.
How come kangaroos are successfully moved to zoos all over the world then?

Translocation is the correct term and seems to be what you are talking about. The definition is in the first sentence of the link.
I didn’t say it is impossible but it’s two totally different things – moving an individual animal or two (and they are usually captive-bred anyway) and moving large numbers (how many are you planning on moving?)

HenryBG said :

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

That’d be because the kangaroos don’t spend most of their time in burrows.

rommeldog56 said :

rommeldog56 said :

What are the problems with relocation then?

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants_and_animals/urban_wildlife/local_wildlife/kangaroos/translocation_of_eastern_grey_kangaroos

It’s not like in the movies where you can dart an animal at 200m, it drops instantly and then recovers when you release it.

That link is about “translocation” whatever that means.
How come kangaroos are successfully moved to zoos all over the world then?

rommeldog56 said :

What are the problems with relocation then?

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants_and_animals/urban_wildlife/local_wildlife/kangaroos/translocation_of_eastern_grey_kangaroos

It’s not like in the movies where you can dart an animal at 200m, it drops instantly and then recovers when you release it.

ungruntled said :

Rollersk8r said :

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

It is a denial of their basic leporine rights to arbitrarily prohibit rabbits from choosing to live in trees if that is what they desire.

But, but, they don’t have hands. How are they going to climb trees? With their teeth?

rommeldog56 said :

I was with a group of 5 people and I heard others grumbling about it as well. Is that accurate enough for you?
What are the problems with relocation then?

Well just off the top of my head, I imagine that kangaroo’s short arms make it very difficult for them to pack their belongings into boxes and carry them to the truck.

Rollersk8r said :

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

It is a denial of their basic leporine rights to arbitrarily prohibit rabbits from choosing to live in trees if that is what they desire.

Is that a society we want to live in? I know I don’t.

And that is all I will say on the matter.

Mysteryman said :

Rollersk8r said :

HenryBG said :

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

Ah, of course, it’s the kangaroos that live in trees.

Tree-kangaroos of the genus Dendrolagus would not survive the Canberra climate but nice try, anyhow.

Masquara said :

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

Both add to the grazing pressure, hence control measures targeting both species

The one difference being kangaroos are native and rabbits are introduced.
The kangaroos should be given preference to grazing rights.

gazket said :

Why not relocate some to Tidbinbilla also, I recently saw only three there a couple of months ago. You pay to go there and expect to see them.

So, because one person sees 3 animals, that’s somehow an accurate count? I was there last week and saw hundreds.
I don’t think most people realise what is involved in relocation.

I was with a group of 5 people and I heard others grumbling about it as well. Is that accurate enough for you?
What are the problems with relocation then?

Neil34 said :

In terms of numbers, how about culling some at Weston Park Yarralumla?

They are part of the fertility control trial

Obviously the condoms aren’t working.

HenryBG said :

HenryBG said :

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

Probably because Roo’s are bigger…..maybe……

I was waiting for that presumption. No, I see some rabbits and the occasional hare, but far more kangaroos. I see a rabbit or two or three.. occasionally, but not whole hillsides covered in them as I do kangaroos.

Why not relocate some to Tidbinbilla also, I recently saw only three there a couple of months ago. You pay to go there and expect to see them.

So, because one person sees 3 animals, that’s somehow an accurate count? I was there last week and saw hundreds.
I don’t think most people realise what is involved in relocation.

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

Both add to the grazing pressure, hence control measures targeting both species

In terms of numbers, how about culling some at Weston Park Yarralumla?

They are part of the fertility control trial

HenryBG said :

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

Probably because Roo’s are bigger…..maybe……

Rollersk8r said :

HenryBG said :

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

Ah, of course, it’s the kangaroos that live in trees.

HenryBG said :

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

Duh, where do rabbits live?
Clue: Not in trees.

Mysteryman said :

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I see far more kangaroos than rabbits.

ACT Government is blaming the roos for a lack of grass across the nature reserves. However, there are rabbits all over them – including Mt Ainslie, despite a recent poisoning. I suspect it’s the bunnies rather than the roos that are at “fault” here.

I note the Mt Wanniassa area is not listed for closure, probably because there are not many left after the last cull.
In terms of numbers, how about culling some at Weston Park Yarralumla?
They are becoming a danger to tourists.
Why not relocate some to Tidbinbilla also, I recently saw only three there a couple of months ago. You pay to go there and expect to see them.

Good. They are a danger to the Tram so have gotta go.

I nearly hit a roo at 12.30 in the afternoon a few days ago. Castleton Ave, Gowrie, near the school. It was coming from the oval heading north along a bike path. Luckily it was a 40kph zone near the school so more easy to avoid collision. There are often heaps of roo’s around there.

“They’ll soon be back, and in greater numbers”

There’d be plenty of land for the Roos if Andrew Barr stopped slinging land off to developers. The sprawl that is going on in the Territory at the moment is obscene.

Plenty more where they came from.

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