Management at Araluen Botanic Park have denied a kangaroo was killed by an illegal snare trap allegedly set by staff, and the Department of Conservation (DBCA) has refused to carry out an investigation, despite shocking evidence from a former staff member being presented to both organisations.
The former staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they made the discovery on the morning of Sunday, May 2.
According to their report, the kangaroo’s neck was strangled in a rope snare trap that was “tight like a tightrope,” and the bushes and ground around the kangaroo were disturbed, indicating it put up a fight and had probably suffered greatly.
Examiner Newspapers has seen graphic images, too shocking to print, that verify the descriptions.
The story has also been confirmed by another source.
According to the former staff member, the illegal snare trap was set along the inside of the fence line at Stinton Creek Carpark and, on further investigation, another two rope snares and a wire snare were found set up along the same fence line.
Management at Araluen was informed and provided with evidence, however, according to the former staff member, the Araluen board stated it had carried out a thorough investigation and there was no substance to the allegations.
In emails to the former staff member, however, Araluen management confirmed they discussed the matter with those involved.
“I have discussed the matter with [Araluen management and staff],” the email reads.
“The park does not support the use of snares to capture animals as they are inhumane. We prefer the use of traps and hunters to manage vermin within the park.
“I appreciate the steps you took to deal with this matter and would encourage you to contact me if you have any further concerns.”
According to the former staff member, however, no further action was taken.
“There was no response, the traps suddenly disappeared and staff were forbidden to speak about the incident when it was brought up in a staff meeting,” they said.
“Several staff were so shocked and disgusted when this information came to light that they have since quit.”
After weeks of apparent inaction from management, and no action taken against the individuals identified as responsible, the former staff member reported the matter to the RSPCA on May 18.
RSPCA WA discussed the matter with DBCA, and agreed the government department tasked with “promoting biodiversity and conservation through sustainable management of WA’s species in our care’ were best placed to carry out an investigation.”
“I called DBCA directly and sent them everything, the full report I made to the RSPCA and my email saying exactly what happened in May,” the former staff member said.
“I called them maybe a month afterwards and I was told it had been given to a team.”
According to the former staff member, that was the last they heard from DBCA about the incident.
A spokesperson for DBCA told Examiner Newspapers that no investigation was carried out, citing a lack of information provided about the incident in the report provided by the former staff member.
While RSPCA WA says it offered to provide DBCA with “any assistance that may be required” for an investigation, it appears that offer was ignored.
“The situation remains the same,” an RSPCA WA spokesperson said.
Under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018, “a snare likely to throttle, or cause suffering to, an ensnared animal,” is a prohibited device.
