Grazing goats introduced at Melbourne’s Royal Park to save lizard habitat

A City of Melbourne initiative to regenerate the habitat of the White’s Skink, a regionally significant species of lizard, has seen a tribe of goats introduced at Melbourne’s Royal Park.

The goats are expected to munch on weeds that are threatening the survival of the lizard species, which needs clear areas of grass and soil to thrive, reducing the need for herbicides in a difficult area to access and maintain.

White’s Skinks have been occupying an area of Royal Park for more than 20 years and are one of the only surviving populations in central Melbourne.

The reptiles prefer rocky habitats and complex understorey vegetation with open areas to soak in sunlight, creating burrows to avoid predators, hibernate and reproduce.

High weed density has reduced the quality of their habitat, with exotic grasses smothering their basking sites.

Goats will be gradually introduced to seven fenced-off plots in Royal Park over the coming weeks, before being removed in early spring. Eight additional plots will be used as control sites and left unmanaged.

Indigenous grasses will be planted, and the White’s Skink population and quality of habitat will be measured again in autumn next year.

The trial is being delivered by the City of Melbourne in partnership with The University of Melbourne. Creating an optimal environment for the lizards, the project is part of the City of Melbourne Nature in the City Strategy, which aims to improve ecosystem health and biodiversity in the city.

Commenting on the project, City of Melbourne acting Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece

“It’s great to be working alongside researchers at the University of Melbourne to find new ways to protect and maintain Melbourne’s unique environment.

“We’re eager to see if the goats can work their grazing magic and help us improve the habitat for the White’s Skinks in this area of Royal Park.”

University of Melbourne Urban Ecology Research Fellow, Julian Brown added “we greatly value working with the City of Melbourne to develop new evidence-based urban landscape management techniques.

“By comparing grazed and ungrazed plots we can determine whether goats can safely remove the weeds and help restore the habitat of White's Skink.”

Image credit: City of Melbourne.