PARTS of Logan have a feral deer problem, with at least two species known to be breeding in rural areas.
Populations are expanding, and Rusa and Fallow species of deer are known to be at Cedar Grove and perhaps neighbouring suburbs.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is looking to map the issue, and has released a draft management strategy which sets a direction of what to do with the deer over the next five years.
Feral deer are a significant emerging pest animal problem, causing damage to the natural environment and farms.
“The Feral Deer Management Strategy aims to reduce the impacts of feral deer, limit their distribution, and stop them becoming established in new areas,” a Biosecurity Queensland spokesperson said.
Wildlife Queensland’s policies and campaigns manager Des Boyland says feral deer are an “increasing threat to the environment” and he welcomes a review and a rethink of existing strategies.
“The draft strategy is well written and clearly set out, and while Wildlife Queensland supports certain aspects of the strategy, some shortcomings must be addressed,” he said.
“By all means, prevent introductions, limit distribution and reduce impacts, but surely reducing overall population size must be included in the strategy’s vision.
“One feral deer in Queensland is one too many.
“Whilst we support constricting them to their existing known habitats, that’s a step in the right direction, but unless the numbers are actually reduced then they just will continue to spread.”
While Wildlife Queensland calls for a more forceful approach with the emphasis on significantly reducing the number of feral deer in Queensland, Mr Boyland admits that eradicating the deer from Queensland is complex.
“How you actually affect control of the deer is a challenge, particularly as the deer are spreading into sort of peri-urban areas where the use of firearms to shoot them is a challenge,” he said.
“There has been research done by Bengsen and others clearly indicating that hunting isn’t a good option for eradicating deer. They actually have to pay special people to go out to remove them purposefully.
“It will be extremely disappointing if this feral deer strategy again opens up the opportunity for hunting in national parks and state forests under the guise of pest animal control activities.
“They’re also very skittish, so the idea of trapping them has got to be done very carefully because if they are caught in traps, they go berserk and animal welfare issues come into play.”
In the strategy, DAF highlights the need to consider animal welfare issues when outlining appropriate control methods.
Mr Boyland said the goals should also be expanded to emphasise landholders’ responsibility to control feral deer.
“The problem escalates when landholders ignore their obligation to manage invasive species. People should report all sighted deer,” he said.
“That’s the major problem because obviously, some people like to see these deers running around the place– they don’t want to see Bambi put at risk.”
The damage caused by feral deer includes the destruction of native vegetation, damage to gardens and fences, possible traffic hazards, impacts on agriculture, spreading of weed seeds and damage to trees from antler rubbing.
Feral deer are listed as a restricted invasive species. They cannot be moved, fed, given away, sold or captured and released.
A Logan City Council Spokesperson said the Biosecurity Act requires everyone, including Logan City Council, to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive animals.
“While the number of feral deer locally is not considered high, failure to meet the responsibilities of the Act would risk increased impacts on the environment should numbers grow,” a spokesperson said.
“Council’s Biosecurity Plan lists both Fallow and Rusa deer as a high priority for population containment.”
