Page 3573 - Week 08 - Thursday, 18 August 2011

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(2) What factors led to the increase in the numbers of kangaroos to be culled in 2011 compared with 2010.

(3) Does the Kangaroo Management Plan 2010 state that fecundity of Eastern Grey Kangaroos can be high when there is a high density and low food availability; if so, (a) how has the recent wet conditions in 2010-11 affected the fecundity of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and (b) is there an inconsistency in the position that fecundity is high in conditions of drought and high rainfall; if not, why not.

(4) What was the density of kangaroos in each of the reserves prior to the 2011 cull.

(5) What is the target density of kangaroos for each of the reserves in which this year’s cull is to be conducted.

(6) Does the ACT Government anticipate that ongoing implementation of the kangaroo management plan will involve seasonal kangaroo culling; if so, under what conditions would culling (a) occur and (b) not occur.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) In relation to the kangaroo population management programs conducted by the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate in 2010 and 2011, the following table (Table 1) provides the number proposed and number culled in each nature reserve/grassy woodland site:

Table 1
Site	2010 Proposed Removal	2010 Actual Removal	2011 Proposed Removal	2011 Actual Removal
Mulligans Flat and Goorooyaroo NR	1208	1208	2041	1785
Jerrabomberra West NR	127	127	536	296
Callum Brae NR	200	200	342	252
Mt Painter NR	221	221	309	106
Kama NR	108	57	0	0
Crace NR	26	26	0	0

(2) The increase in the numbers of kangaroos to be culled this year is because the kangaroo populations are higher than in previous years. This means that more kangaroos need to be culled in order to reach the target density for each site.

(3) The ACT Kangaroo Management Plan states on page 30 that the fecundity levels of eastern grey kangaroos in the ACT are very high, and evidence suggests that populations are able to remain extremely fecund even during periods of drought. While seasonal conditions do not limit fecundity or pouch young survival, they do influence the mortality of young kangaroos prior to breeding age. Each year there is high mortality of young kangaroos, mostly in late winter and early spring, when competition for food is high.

(a) The recent wet conditions in 2010-11 has not affected the fecundity of kangaroos, but may have reduced the mortality of young kangaroos caused by starvation during this time.

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