A DRAFT plan outlining state government plans to manage and monitor kangaroo populations is available online for feedback.
The South Australian Commercial Kangaroo Management Plan 2018-2022 has been released by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources for a three-month public consultation period,.
The draft plan outlines the government’s intentions for red kangaroo, western grey and euro kangaroos, including commercial harvesting, which occurs across much of the state’s pastoral areas, including the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and Murray Mallee.
DEWNR Arid Lands regional manager – scientific services Rob Brandle said kangaroo harvesting in SA has been regulated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for nearly 40 years, with no negative impacts to the long-term conservation of populations.
“Kangaroo numbers fluctuate in response to rainfall and when populations are in high numbers they can cause detrimental impacts to the environment, infrastructure, pasture or cereal crops,” he said.
Seven key aims of the draft plan include:
- animal welfare
- community awareness and participation
- managing kangaroo impacts on land condition
- monitoring kangaroo populations and commercial harvest
- facilitating adaptive management and research
- undertaking program reporting and review.
Minor updates have been made to the draft plan and include a focus on improved education on best practice use of commercial and non-commercial management options for kangaroo management.
The plan also acts as a Wildlife Trade Management Plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and allows the commercial export of kangaroo products.
Copies of the draft plan, an online survey and information on how you can have your say are available online by clicking here or by contacting the Natural Resources Centre in Port Augusta on 08 8648 5300 or kmp@sa.gov.au
Feedback is due by October 8.