Trees up to 400 years old illegally felled in ACT parks and reserves

James Parker, ACT Parks Ranger, said the destruction of mature natives in ACT reserves was the worst he'd ever seen. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

Chainsaws were recovered alongside drugs, cash and ammunition when police raided two properties in Canberra recently, the stolen tools reportedly used in ACT parks and reserves when illegal logging surged last winter.

More than 20 mature natives - aged between 100 and 400 years - were taken illegally from Gigerline Nature Reserve alone. ACT Parks captured video footage from up to five depots reportedly showing illegal felling at a similar scale.