The Deer Problem

Feral deer are emerging as one of Australia’s most serious environmental and agricultural threats across the nation. Victoria has the largest deer population in Australia, estimated at more than a million animals and forecast to double every 2 years.

The deer population is expanding rapidly and invading new areas. With a lack of predators, occurrence in vast and remote areas and great habitat flexibility, deer are set to become one of Victoria’s and ultimately Australia’s most damaging pest animal invaders. (source: Invasive Species Council)

Feral Deer are fast becoming a national problem causing significant damage to our environment, farming, cultural and social areas. If Foot and Mouth disease were to enter the country and infect the wild feral population, the damage to the broader economy would be in excess of $60 billion dollars (source: Independent Report from Frontier Economics)

Impacts of deer

Deer compete with our native fauna and with farmed stock for feed.  They modify habitat; can spread diseases, pathogens and weed seeds; they alter water quality; cause erosion and compaction of soils, altering nutrient cycling; and also change plant communities through selective browsing.  They also pose a road safety risk.