THE ACT government will shoot 1650 Eastern Grey Kangaroos in its annual “conservation cull” on nine reserves starting on Monday, May 23.

Nine reserves in Canberra Nature Park will be closed overnight from Sunday to Thursday. The nature reserves will remain open during the day and from Friday mornings to Sunday afternoons.

“We aim to remove 1650 kangaroos from nine priority reserves to help maintain appropriate grazing pressure in our grassy ecosystems,” said Stephen Alegria, of ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

“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 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.”