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Kangaroo management for Thomsons Lake Nature Reserve |
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Saturday, 22 April 2006 |
The Department of Conservation and Land Management will begin a kangaroo management program at Thomsons Lake Nature Reserve later this month to reduce numbers and their impact on the reserve’s values.
CALM’s Director of Nature Conservation, Gordon Wyre, said the kangaroo population in the 550 hectare reserve had increased significantly inside the vermin-proof fencing around the reserve in the past 13 years.
It is estimated that there are 450 western grey kangaroos in the reserve and this is placing extreme pressure on native vegetation, the Habitat of other native fauna and other conservation values.
Thomsons Lake is listed as a Ramsar site of international significance as a waterbird habitat. Many of the waterbirds migrate from northern Asia.
CALM estimates that a sustainable kangaroo population in the reserve is fewer than 30 kangaroos.
“The reduction in kangaroo numbers will be carried out under a nationally-endorsed code of practice and a professional shooter, who will reduce the population on several nights over coming weeks, will be engaged,” Mr Wyre said.
“The culling has the approval of the Conservation Commission of WA as well as the community-based Beeliar Regional Park Community Advisory Committee.”
Dr John Bailey, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, said the operation was in line with the management plan for the reserve. It had been prepared after consultation with key stakeholders including the local community, animal researchers, the veterinary profession and the RSPCA.
Professor Philip Jennings, Chairman of the Community Advisory Committee, said he regretted the kangaroos being culled, but all other management options had been carefully considered before choosing this approach.
“The current kangaroo numbers are unsustainable and the operation was considered to be the most humane way of addressing the problem and ensuring the protection of the reserve,” he said.
Mr Wyre said translocating the animals was not a practical or feasible option because of the unacceptable level of stress it would place on the animals. It also would add unnatural pressures in the area to which they were relocated.
There would be minimal waste from the program. Some of the tissue and organs from the animals would be used by local universities and hospitals for resea | | |
