Cameras and equipment worth nearly $4,000 belonging to the National Parks Association of the ACT’s Rosenberg’s Goanna project have been stolen from the Ainslie – Majura Nature Reserve.
Two highly specialised and professional Reconyx HP2X cameras used to monitor increasingly rare Rosenberg’s Goannas in the reserve have been taken from a goanna burrow dug into the side of a trail in the reserve. One camera was a close focus model, to better record goanna faces.
A third Reconyx HP2X camera placed 4.5 m up a nearby tree, was taken as well, along with steel security boxes and python cables belonging to the citizen science project.
‘The replacement cost for the three cameras and associated equipment is around $3,800,’ the leader of the NPA Goanna Project, Don Fletcher said.
‘We have had at least one camera on this spot for 4 years without any problem, with dozens of people walking past. The installation included a sign explaining the purpose of the project, and my contact details. ‘The cameras would be unusable by the thief because they need a PIN to operate.’
'This is a setback to the project, which depends largely on public donations and a bequest to fund our research and equipment, Dr Fletcher said. ‘Fortunately, this year we also received a $20,000 grant from the ACT Government via the Office of Nature Conservation towards the lab costs of our DNA research.
The burrow, known as ‘Love shack burrow’ to some people because of the goanna mating activity that has been recorded on camera there, appears to be unharmed.
‘I don’t intend to replace cameras at the burrow because of the risk of further theft', Dr Fletcher said. ‘Instead, we’ll look at options to place cameras where they are not visible from a foot pad or track.’
The goanna project has been running for 8 years with the aim of improving understanding genetic relations, habitat use and movements of Rosenberg’s goannas (Varanus rosenbergi) in Namadgi National Park and the Mt Majura – Mt Ainslie area.
This species of goanna is found only in southern Australia, but its population is threatened by habitat loss and predation, and it now has vulnerable conservation status in NSW and Victoria.
You can read more about the goanna project here.