A total of 1232 kangaroos have been removed across seven of Canberra’s reserves as part of the culling component of this year’s Eastern Grey Kangaroo Management Program.
This number takes into account adult kangaroos as well as young-at-foot, and is less than the cull target of 1336.
Breaking down the numbers, 575 independent males were removed along with 657 independent females.
Pouch young are not included in the cull targets, but 438 were euthanised as part of the program.
The reserves were slated to be closed at night between 9 June and 1 August, but that deadline has been brought forward.
The ACT’s Conservator of Flora and Fauna Bren Burkevics thanked everyone for their cooperation during the closure.
“Managing kangaroos is an important part of a diverse land management program that helps protect, conserve and enhance the ACT’s parks and reserves across the ACT,” he said.
“Work to protect and enhance the ACT’s parks and reserves will continue at pace through controlling weeds, removing invasive animals and restoring areas of high conservation value.”
The end of the culling aspect of the program means the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, Gungaderra Grasslands, Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve, Mt Majura Nature Reserve, Mulanggari Grasslands, Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve and Red Hill Nature Reserve are now open again without restrictions.
Fertility control activities through the GonaCon immunocontraceptive vaccine will continue at selected sites as part of the program.
The vaccine has been given to 53 females at Mulanggari and 14 females at Mulligans Flat to date.