Park closures make way for feral animal control

A number of parks will be closed to the public for the duration of the pest control programs, which are being undertaken by volunteers from the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Landscape Ranger Sarah Voumard said it was imperative that people respected the park closures for their own safety.

"The purpose of the closures is to ensure the safety of the public during prescribed pest control programs in the reserves," Ms Voumard said.

"Live ammunition is used during these control programs and by entering a park when it is closed, you could put yourself in danger of being shot accidentally.

"Disappointingly, during a park closure at Mt Brown Conservation Park in early September, some members of the public ignored the closure signs and entered the park anyway.

"Please do not to enter parks when there are ‘closed’ signs in place. Penalties apply for non-compliance."

The pest control program aims to protect native vegetation from grazing pressure by feral goats.

The next park closures are scheduled from 6pm on Thursday, 22 September to 6am on Friday, 30 September in Telowie Gorge Conservation Park and the Napperby Block of Mount Remarkable National Park.

Further park closures are scheduled from Friday, 28 October to Monday, 3 November at Dutchmans Stern and Mount Brown Conservation Parks, and Thursday, 24 November to Thursday, 1 December at Telowie Gorge Conservation Park and the Napperby Block of Mt Remarkable National Park.

For more information about park closures, contact the Natural Resources Centre in Clare on 8841 3444 or visit http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Safety/park-closures