The ACT's kangaroo cull cost more than $270,000 this year, about $83,000 more than last year despite killing fewer kangaroos.
The controversial ACT government cull was completed in six nature reserves in July, and 1504 kangaroos were culled at a cost of $273,000, an average of $182 a death. There were 1561 shot last year at a cost of almost $190,000, or about $121 a kangaroo, while in 2011 there were 3400 killed for about $54 a death.
The cull was temporarily delayed due to a challenge by animal activists in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The ACT government argued the cull was needed to prevent overgrazing, which it said threatened rare animals and plants.
A revised quota of 1244 adult eastern grey kangaroos was approved by the tribunal, down from the proposed 1455 figure. The 2013 cull figure included 632 females and 517 males, plus 355 pouch young, killed to prevent starvation if their mother was among the dead.
The figures from the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate indicate the Goorooyarroo nature reserve was the site of most of the culling.
More than 150 carcasses were used for baits in wild dog and fox control, with the remaining carcasses buried.
ACT Parks and Conservation Services director Daniel Iglesias said last year the annual fee covered all planning for the cull, as well as staff, contractors and an end assessment.
TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury said in August he had instructed his directorate to work with the Alphadog Animal Welfare Foundation to help determine if a large translocation trial was feasible.
The Greens MLA said the results of an early trial could help inform decisions on culling next winter.
Environment Minister Simon Corbell said at the time the government would consider the translocation proposal, but the weight of scientific evidence was against translocation.
Correction: The figures in this article have been updated with new information on the number of animals killed.
