Grampians (Gariwerd) aerial pest animal control operation
20th – 24th January 2025
Parks Victoria is conducting a conservation program to respond to the ecological impacts of the Yarram Gap fire.
An aerial shooting operation will be undertaken between Monday 20th – Friday 24th of January 2025 to target pest animals and to support the recovery of the park and its native species.
The fire affected over a third of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park impacting native plants, animals, aquatic species, and invertebrates.
Urgent action is being taken to reduce predators (foxes and feral cats) and introduced herbivores (deer and feral goats), threatening the survival and recovery of vulnerable native plants and animals.
Foxes and feral cats’ prey on Grampians native animals such as the Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby, Long Nosed Potoroo, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Smoky Mouse, Heath Mouse, and Grampians Mountain Dragon. These native animals are now more exposed to predation due to the loss of vegetation cover because of the Yarram Gap fire.
Deer and feral goats cause serious damage to native plants, animals, and habitat by trampling and destroying plants, increasing grazing pressure, ring-barking young trees, fouling waterholes, causing soil erosion, and spreading weeds. They compete with native animals for forage in remaining in unburnt areas and set back the recovery of burnt native plants by browsing new regrowth and seedlings.
No additional closures of visitor sites or campgrounds are being implemented. To ensure visitor safety, warning signs and staff will be placed at temporary closures and major road access points to the control area. Visitors are encouraged to follow all instructions on permanent and temporary signage.
For further information visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap or call Parks Victoria Information on 13 19 63.
William (Bill) Playne
Ranger – Visitor and Community
Grampians (Gariwerd)|Western Region
‘Parks Victoria respectfully acknowledges Traditional Owners, their cultures, knowledge and their continuing connnection to and cultural obligations to care for their Country’