This summer, amongst a bulging mailbag of curious animal sightings, this column received numerous reports of large Lace Monitors (Varanus varius) prowling south coast campgrounds, but not one single sighting of this eye-catching goanna, once also common in Canberra's parks and suburbs.
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Indeed, looking back through correspondence since this column's inception seven years ago, there has been a disappointing dearth of reports of goannas in the ACT. This is despite the fact that according to local herpetologist Ross Bennett's field guide, Reptiles and Frogs of the Australian Capital Territory (National Parks Association of the ACT, 1997) there are actually two species of goannas found in the ACT — the Lace Monitor, referred to by some as the Common Tree Goanna, and also the ground-dwelling Rosenberg's Monitor (Varanus rosenbergi).
![This Lace Monitor, photographed in 1990 on Black Mountain was the last that local herpetologist Ross Bennett has seen in the wild in Canberra. Photo: Ross Bennett This Lace Monitor, photographed in 1990 on Black Mountain was the last that local herpetologist Ross Bennett has seen in the wild in Canberra. Photo: Ross Bennett](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/bd1168fb-4310-46ed-867b-aa0ff38d75ec/r0_0_900_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Another Canberran also struck by this apparent decline in Lace Monitors in Canberra is good friend of this column, Ainslie naturalist Matthew Higgins. In an attempt to better understand Rosenberg's Monitors, which he has been documenting on Mt Ainslie and other parts of the bush capital for several years, Higgins recently embarked on a mission to uncover historical reports of the Lace Monitor in the ACT.
Leaving no stone unturned in his quest, the dedicated naturalist has interviewed some of our community's longest serving herpetologists and ecologists as well as spent weeks poring over wildlife databases and back copies of newspapers including The Canberra Times in search of reports of the disappearing goanna.
![The giant goanna sculpture at Girrawah Park in Ngunnawal. Photo: Tim the Yowie Man The giant goanna sculpture at Girrawah Park in Ngunnawal. Photo: Tim the Yowie Man](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/27291e27-602b-4ede-886e-f2f27fadae93/r0_0_2000_1213_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
According to Higgins' investigation, still a work in progress, "Lyall Gillespie's histories of Canberra and Ginninderra mention goannas as being numerous in the nineteenth century, but there has been a significant decline in Lace Monitors since Canberra's development early last century."
"It is clear that the Lace Monitor is all but extinct in the ACT," concludes Higgins, who points to two main reasons for their decline.
"Firstly, in the early development of our city it wasn't uncommon for land holders who had chicken coups to shoot them," explains Higgins, adding, "this was to stop the predation of chook eggs."
However, according to Higgins, the most significant factor contributing to the decline in Lace Monitors has been habitat loss.
![A Rosenberg?s Monitor photographed last month on Mt Ainslie. Photo: Matthew Higgins A Rosenberg?s Monitor photographed last month on Mt Ainslie. Photo: Matthew Higgins](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/9b4a182c-7d74-474d-aa72-58f543a996c8/r0_0_575_608_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"They are known to have large home ranges, and if these are fragmented through roads, buildings and suburbs, then it makes it difficult for a population to be viable," explains Higgins.
Amongst the more notable historical reports of Lace Monitors uncovered by Higgins are a number of sightings in Canberra's north in the 1970s, including a 1.2 metre specimen found climbing the wall of a house on Hackett (much to the alarm of its elderly owner!) and another spotted on the prowl near woodland in Mitchell.
![Lace monitors are still common on the south coast, like this one spotted climbing a tree near Tathra. Photo: 'Brick' from Hawker Lace monitors are still common on the south coast, like this one spotted climbing a tree near Tathra. Photo: 'Brick' from Hawker](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/5222068a-9894-4fc9-9b1d-69baa3705824/r0_0_865_1153_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"There's virtually no chance of seeing one in north Canberra these days due to the way it's been developed," laments Higgins.
In fact, these days the only goanna you are guaranteed to see in suburban Canberra is of the concrete kind. While recently searching for new playgrounds for my young children, your akubra-clad columnist spotted a larger than life goanna sculpture in Girrawah (meaning 'goanna' in a local Indigenous language) Park in Ngunnawal. The impressive work of art is hidden down a quiet street but well worth a visit, if only to contemplate the time when goannas of a flesh and blood variety were a much more common site roaming our bush capital.
![This 1.2 metre long Lace Monitor appeared in<i> The Canberra Times</i> in January 1978, climbing up the wall of a house in Dunn Place, Hackett. Photo: Supplied This 1.2 metre long Lace Monitor appeared in<i> The Canberra Times</i> in January 1978, climbing up the wall of a house in Dunn Place, Hackett. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/81c9b39e-f0e4-4b53-a248-35af5ee58c4c/r0_0_1283_2000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Have you spotted a goanna within the ACT's borders? If so, I'd love to hear from you. So would Higgins.
Fact File
Spot the difference: Seen a goanna in the ACT, but don't know whether it's a Rosenberg's or Lace Monitor? According to Higgins, "there are various distinguishing characteristics, but the most obvious one is the banding on the tail", explaining "the Rosenberg's have narrow bands and Lace Monitors have broad bands."
Tim's Tip: To see a Lace Monitor in the ACT you have to be extremely lucky. A radio tracking project of an adult male on Black Mountain late last century showed that the goanna would often remain in one tree hollow for several days at a time. When in the bush, use your ears, and listen for their movement. If you hear something scrabbling up a tree trunk, look up, you just never know — it could be one of the last Lace Monitors left in Canberra.
Where to find Rosenberg's: While Lace monitors are close to extinction in the ACT, according to Higgins, "Namadgi National Park, especially the Naas Valley, between the area up-river from Caloola Farm and Mt Clear" is the best place to spot Rosenberg's Monitors in Canberra. If you spot a Rosenberg's try to take a close-up photograph of its face which can be used to distinguish individuals – a bit like fingerprints in humans.
Lizard lecture: Higgins will be delivering his popular public presentation 'Adventures with Rosie: monitoring Rosenberg's Monitor on Mt Ainslie 2013-2016' at the ANU Fenner School at 1pm on Thursday 23 March, in the Fenner Seminar Room, Frank Fenner Building 141. See you there.
DON'T MISS
Bushranger Bonanza
![A scene from The Legend of Ben Hall. Photo: Supplied A scene from The Legend of Ben Hall. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/5e962b7b-304f-4703-ba00-f85f66d172e1/r0_0_2000_1333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
What: A special one-off outdoor screening of the new historical drama The Legend of Ben Hall at the Bushranger Hotel at Collector.
Where: In the paddock alongside the hotel where Collector's Constable Nelson was shot dead by bushranger John Dunn of the Ben Hall Gang back in January 1865 (as featured in the film!)
When: Saturday February 25, film starts around 8.30pm.
Don't forget: BYO deck chairs and/or picnic rugs.
Bookings: Tickets ($15pp) can be pre-purchased at the Bushranger Hotel in Collector (Ph: 48480071) or on the night. Note: The Legend of Ben Hall is rated M15+.
Expect: To discover this epic true story of bushranger outlaw Ben Hall and his gang, much of which played out in our region.
Did You Know? This award-winning feature has already been declared the "Best Foreign Western of 2017" by True West magazine in the United States.
Plan Ahead for: If you are a bushranger buff, then you won't want to miss 'The Capture of the Clarkes' – a full weekend (April 29-30, 2017) of re-enactments and entertainment to mark the 150 th anniversary of the capture of the notorious Clarke Brothers near Braidwood. This column will feature more details on what promises to be a spectacular event closer to the date, but in the meantime, contact the Braidwood & District Historical Society (www.braidwoodmuseum.org.au) for more information.
WHERE IN THE REGION?
![Where is this in the region? Photo: Di Roberts Where is this in the region? Photo: Di Roberts](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/fb4542ec-ce9f-43dd-8c17-ec6f5c18498a/r0_0_1433_1075_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Clue: The CWA Hall near this church is this village's old police station residence.
Degree of difficulty: Medium
![Last week's "where in Canberra" photo. Photo: Martin Boling Last week's "where in Canberra" photo. Photo: Martin Boling](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/94de896c-43bf-4b21-a97b-604c638a3858/r0_0_480_640_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Last week: Congratulations to Andrew Sadow, of Wamboin, who was first to correctly identify last week's photo, sent in by Martin Boling as part of the National Library of Australia's ventilation system at their landmark building in Parkes, which according to a library spokesperson, "are only activated under certain emergency circumstances."
Sadow and his wife often walk past the curious castellation while walking their dogs around Lake Burley Griffin.
Just pipped at the post for the prize were Mark Straughair, of Florey, and also Arthur Gale, of Page, who during his time as a "security controller at the library had many an opportunity to explore the maze of tunnels and other places like the ventilation towers".
How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday February 18, 2017 with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy cinemas.