GOVERNMENT ecologists have recommended culling nearly twice as many kangaroos in 2013 than the 1100 killed in 2012, although Territory and Municipal Services says no decision has been made yet on whether there will be a cull this year.
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An internal document from the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, seen by Fairfax Media, contains a recommendation to cull about 2000 eastern grey kangaroos in 11 sites, and up to 95 per cent of the kangaroo population in some areas.
A TAMS spokesman confirmed the document ''forms part of the input to the decision-making process'', but said the department was also considering a range of submissions ''both supporting and opposing the cull''.
Several submissions have been made to TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury opposing culling, including from conservation biologists and environmental scientists, claiming inconsistent methods of population surveys, disputing the ideal population densities of kangaroos in the grassland areas, and arguing that unchecked weeds and livestock cause more damage than the native animals.
The TAMS spokesman said the Territory's kangaroo management plan had a sound scientific basis.
''The plan was underpinned by a large body of scientific evidence, referencing over 400 documents as well as being subjected to extensive community consultation … [and] independently peer-reviewed by an eminent ecologist and expert in kangaroo ecology.''
At least one opponent has argued the case for a year without a cull - which has happened annually since 2008 - to study the comparative effects on the biodiversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands, which culling aims to protect.
''Kangaroo grazing can have a detrimental impact on delicate and endangered ecosystems, and it is imperative to protect these endangered ecological communities and the species that live in these areas,'' the TAMS spokesman said.
Mr Rattenbury, a Greens MLA who made headlines when he was attacked by a kangaroo two weeks ago, said he could not say when an announcement would be made on whether or not a cull would happen.
''Work is going on at the moment [and] a decision needs to be taken,'' he said.
An announcement is expected this month, as the ACT restricts kangaroo culling to the five months of March to July, which aims to ''avoid the time when most females have large pouch young or young-at-foot that are dependent on milk''.
Official documents released under freedom-of-information laws by TAMS in March revealed the 2012 cull figure of 1154 kangaroos, did not include 407 ''in-pouch young'' that were also killed.