Maria Island wildlife management operation

09/07/2012

The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) will undertake a wildlife population control operation at Maria Island National Park next week.

PWS Southern Region operations manager Shane Breen said that the PWS has a responsibility to manage Maria Island in a way that conserve’s the island’s biodiversity while also maintaining a viable and healthy animal population.

“PWS has been actively managing the island’s macropod species since 1994 and this year there is a need to remove up to 700 animals from the three macropod populations of Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies and Tasmanian pademelons,” Mr Breen said.

“The decision to remove these animals is based on a scientific monitoring program of three key indicators that provide a picture of the health of the animals, the island’s vegetation and current and future conditions.”

“Maria Island is unique in that the environment has been significantly altered by human use and the past introduction of species, including Forester kangaroos and Bennett’s wallabies, presents ongoing management challenges.

“Population control on Maria is an animal welfare issue. When the macropod populations are too high, animals become sick and distressed and this is what we are aiming to avoid.”

Maria Island will be temporarily closed to the public from 15-22 July while the operation occurs.

Further information about managing Maria Island's macropods is available on the PWS website  here