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EnvironmentQuiet 5d · day 9

Australia's feral deer populations surge; governments failing to control spread

An unpublished report shows invasive deer costing $91m annually and encroaching on cities, with only South Australia making meaningful progress.

newest coverage 4d agosummary written 8d ago5 pieces1 likes & upvotes NewswiresMastodonGoogle News

What to know

  • Six feral deer species now established across Australia have increased in numbers and territory during 2020–2025, costing over $91 million annually.
  • Nearly all Australian jurisdictions are failing to control feral deer; only South Australia achieved passing grades under the national vertebrate pest report card.
  • Advocates warn without prompt action the problem will rival the feral pig crisis, though South Australia's eradication plan shows targeted intervention can work.
  • The unpublished report, produced by the National Vertebrate Pest Coordinators, was leaked to the Invasive Species Council and reveals systemic underfunding of control efforts.

“Deer 'probably can't be eradicated' from the entire continent, but South Australia's 'A+' report score showed it was possible to do so in some states and territories.”

Reece Pianta, Advocacy manager, Invasive Species Council · The Guardian ↗

Prof Euan Ritchie President, Australian Mammal Society; Deakin UniversityReece Pianta Advocacy manager, Invasive Species CouncilNational Vertebrate Pest Coordinators Report authorsSouth Australia State government

Australia's feral deer populations surge; governments failing to control spread
theguardian.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in 3h at Oct 29, 10 PM; 5 pieces over 9 days (4 articles · 1 post) Oct 29, 10 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Newswires 2, Google News 1Oct 30, 1 AM — quietOct 30, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 30, 7 AM — quietOct 30, 10 AM — quietOct 30, 1 PM — quietOct 30, 4 PM — quietOct 30, 7 PM — quietOct 30, 10 PM — quietOct 31, 1 AM — quietOct 31, 4 AM — quietOct 31, 7 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — quietOct 31, 1 PM — quietOct 31, 4 PM — quietOct 31, 7 PM — quietOct 31, 10 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 3 AM — quietNov 1, 6 AM — quietNov 1, 9 AM — quietNov 1, 12 PM — quietNov 1, 3 PM — quietNov 1, 6 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 12 AM — quietNov 2, 3 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — quietNov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 12 PM — quietNov 2, 3 PM — quietNov 2, 6 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 12 AM — quietNov 3, 3 AM — quietNov 3, 6 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Nov 3, 3 PM — quietNov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 12 AM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 12 PM — quietNov 4, 3 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 12 AM — quietNov 5, 3 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 12 PM — quietNov 5, 3 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 12 AM — quietNov 6, 3 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 12 PM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quiet 12
Oct 30Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 8:42 AM ET
  1. 2

    Invasive Species Council warns feral deer could become next feral pig crisis without intervention

    Reece Pianta of the Invasive Species Council stated the report confirms systemic underfunding of deer control and warns the species lacks recognition compared to other invasives. He argued that unlike other pests, prompt intervention could significantly reduce deer numbers and reverse spread, pointing to South Australia's success as proof eradication is possible in some jurisdictions.

    “Deer are the next feral pig. The difference with deer is that an intervention now could make a significant difference to the population numbers and contain, or even reverse, that spread.”
    — Reece Pianta
    1. 3 outlets Feral deer will become Australia’s next feral pig problem without prompt action, report warns

      first by The Guardian, 9d ago · also Guardian Environment, Guardian

    • wood5y@mastodonapp.uk

      "Six species of feral deer are established in Australia – chital, fallow, hog, red, rusa and sambar – with well-established populations across south-eastern Australia, where densities are highest. There are smaller, more localised populations in South and Western Australia and the Northern Territory." https://www. theguardian.com/environment/20…

      wood5y@mastodonapp.ukMastodon9d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  2. 1

    Unpublished national vertebrate pest report assesses five-year feral deer control failure

    The National Vertebrate Pest Coordinators' report card covering 2020–2025 shows Australia failing to control feral deer spread. Feral deer populations have increased in numbers and territory, costing more than $91m annually in production loss and management time. Six species—chital, fallow, hog, red, rusa, and sambar—are established across the country, with highest densities in south-eastern Australia. The report uses a traffic light system: South Australia alone received green marks in all four assessed categories. New South Wales and Tasmania received reds across all categories; Queensland and the ACT received three reds and one yellow. The report was leaked to the Invasive Species Council.

    “This report shows that governments are failing miserably to invest enough to control deer populations and the severe impacts that they can have on agriculture, native wildlife and the environment, road safety and culturally significant sites.”
    — Prof Euan Ritchie, Deakin University and president of the Australian Mammal Society
    1. 1 outlet Leaked report reveals how WA can avoid Australia’s $91m feral deer disaster

      first by Sydney Morning Herald, 4d ago

  3. background

    Invasive Species Council releases footage showing Gold Coast under feral deer siege — The Invasive Species Council released footage and images depicting heavy feral deer populations on the Gold Coast.

  4. background

    South Australia launches statewide feral deer eradication plan — South Australia initiated an ambitious statewide effort to eradicate feral deer populations.