Roo cull nears target despite protests

The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal approved on July 10 the culling of 1244 kangaroos across seven sites after a legal challenge from animal activists, 211 less than originally approved by the Conservator of Flora and Fauna.

A Territory and Municipal Services spokesman said a small protester presence during the three-week cull had not caused a great disruption.

“The government expects to get relatively close to the cull quota, however the original eight-week period was cut – and we’ve also focused on safety and undertaking it humanely rather than rushing through the quota,” he said.

“It has proceeded largely without incident – while there has been a small protester presence ... there hasn’t been any significant disruptions.”

The spokesman said time had also been lost because of rain on the July 20-21 weekend.

He said the government had historically not put out a running tally on achieved killings.

ACT Parks and Conservation Service director Daniel Iglesias told ABC Radio on Wednesday the professional shooters were getting between 60 and 80 kangaroos a night.