Sections of Canberra’s nature reserves will be closed to the public from May to July for visitor safety while rabbit control operations take place.
The ACT Government undertakes rabbit control operations at locations of high conservation value to maintain rabbit populations below a density where they cause significant environmental harm.
Rabbits are a serious environmental pest as their grazing results in a loss of vegetation and their warrens contribute to soil erosion. Grazing by rabbits threatens the survival of native birds, mammals, and insects that rely on plants for food and shelter.
Rabbits have contributed to the extinction of many native plant and animal species. Rabbits compete with livestock for available pasture and kill young trees and shrubs.
If left uncontrolled, rabbits will further invade surrounding land including back yards, causing more damage to the environment and private property. Rabbits are a declared pest under the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005.
Rabbit populations have increased considerably in several nature reserves across Canberra, including Mt Ainslie, Mt Majura and Red Hill Nature Reserve. To allow the ACT Parks and Conservation Service to undertake rabbit control operations safety and effectively, the community is notified of the following reserve closures:
Reserves closed | Area | Closure period | Days and times | Times |
Mt Ainslie | Entire reserve | 9 May to 26 May | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
Mt Majura | Entire reserve | 9 May to 26 May | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
Mt Pleasant | Entire reserve | 9 May to 28 July | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
Percival Hill | Entire reserve | 9 May to 28 July | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve | Entire reserve | 9 May to 30 June | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
