Macropod Population Control on Maria Island National Park - A Review

Project aim: Review the methods employed to control macropod populations on Maria Island National Park (NP) including Forester kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Bennett’s wallaby (M. rufogriseus rufogriseus) and Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii).

Project achievements: This review was undertaken by Janeane Ingram, Forest Contracting Services (TAS) Pty Ltd and Professor Hamish McCallum, Griffith University for the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), with the principle outcomes during the project being:

1. the formation of an integrated approach to the collection of relevant data for macropod management, based on the Maria Island NP Monitoring Strategy (2010);

2. a comprehensive review of macropod population control options currently being used or considered in Australia, with recommendations to guide future management actions; and,

3. a new focus and commitment to implement operating procedures based on the 2010 Macropod Control Program and the Macropod Control Management Principles (Draft).