Fifteen ACT nature reserves will be closed overnight for almost eight weeks as part of the ACT Government’s annual kangaroo management program.
The closures will apply from June 9 to July 31 between 6pm and 6am from Sunday to Thursday, with reserves reopening during the day and on weekends.
ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna Bren Burkevics said the program was intended to reduce grazing pressure on endangered native grasslands and grassy woodlands.
Mr Burkevics said monitoring had found 72 per cent of surveyed grassland areas were below the target grass height range, up from 44 per cent the previous year.
The ACT Government says an operational target of 3633 kangaroos has been set for removal across 15 ACT reserves and the Googong nature reserves in NSW.
The program will also continue trials of the GonaCon contraceptive vaccine, which the Government says may help reduce future culling requirements.
Reserves affected include Mount Ainslie, Mount Majura, Red Hill, Mulligans Flat, The Pinnacle, Isaacs Ridge and Goorooyarroo, among others.
The ACT Government says deer found in ecologically sensitive areas of Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura may also be removed during the operations.
Entering a closed reserve during operational hours is an offence under the Nature Conservation Act.
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