Media Room: Media Releases

KANGAROO MANAGEMENT AT DEFENCE SITES IN THE ACT

Defence will implement a kangaroo management plan in the Australian Capital Territory designed to promote sound ecological management and a responsible approach to animal welfare.

The plan will use a mix of translocation, fertility control and – only where necessary – euthanasia to bring the kangaroo population into balance with the ecosystem at the Belconnen Naval Transmitting Station (BNTS).

Defence convened an expert panel in August 2007 to assess the environmental impact of the kangaroo population at BNTS and to recommend actions that will achieve a sustainable balance between kangaroo numbers and the local ecology.

The panel comprised some of Australia’s leading specialists on kangaroos, native temperate grasslands, reptiles and on responsible wildlife management. 

The BNTS site is fenced and the kangaroos are a captive population.  A key requirement is that Defence manages the site to protect the area’s biodiversity and landscape values.

The independent panel concluded that the structure of the grass swards and soil condition at BNTS showed very heavy grazing which threatened the long-term sustainability of the grassland.

The panel advised Eastern Grey kangaroos are the only significant grazing species on the site therefore reducing the density of the kangaroo population is essential to allow the grassland to regain the right structure and soil condition.

The panel found that the kangaroo population was in good condition and that there were no current animal welfare considerations.  Supplementary feeding will be introduced as a measure to save grass and soils.

The kangaroo population will be reduced by using translocation, for as many as possible, allowing for state and territory licensing requirements – and selective humane euthanising.

The optimum number of kangaroos for the site is around 100.  Fertility control will be used to keep the population at around that number.

Clearly this is a sensitive issue in the community.  Defence has taken every measure to ensure that we deal with the matter in a responsible way. 

Defence is tendering for a specialist contractor to implement the panel’s recommendations.

At the Majura Training Area (MTA) Defence has engaged a contractor to construct a kangaroo exclusion fence around threatened Natural Temperate Grassland.

This temporary measure to protect fauna and flora from over-grazing will be supported by a comprehensive monitoring program.

The expert panel will be invited to assess the MTA in the near future.

Defence will continue to work with community groups and scientific specialists to further improve our kangaroo management strategies. 

Our commitment is to sustainable environmental management, protecting endangered ecological communities and threatened species and humanely managing over-abundant species.

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or (0408) 498 664

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