Feral Deer Populations Raise Alarms Across the Region

The North Coast Local Land Services Invasive Pest team is urging landholders to report sightings of feral deer in their areas. These populations have been identifed in multiple regions, including Port Macquarie, Upper Macleay Valley, Nambucca, Coffs Harbour, and Nana Glen-Bucca-Woolgoolga.

Sightings of individual stags have also been reported in the Northern Rivers region, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reporting to enhance understanding and inform potential management programs.

Feral deer pose signifcant threats to native species and ecosystems. Their grazing and trampling activities hinder the survival of native species by disrupting food and habitat availability. Additionally, the scent marking and antler rubbing of feral deer often result in ring-barking and death of trees. Browsing on various plants further degrades these communities.

The introduction of weed seeds through deer scats and increased light penetration from disturbed canopies, especially in Littoral Rainforests, facilitate rapid weed invasion by species such as Lantana, Bitou Bush, and Tropical Soda Apple—signifcant threats on the North Coast.

Dean Chamberlain, Team Leader for Invasive Pests, highlighted the extensive impact of feral deer. “Feral deer signifcantly affect the natural environment, agricultural producers, and even urban gardens and community spaces,” he said. “Some deer species can jump fences up to 2.5 meters high, enabling them to invade farms, graze on pastures and crops, consume stock water and feed, and damage riparian zones around water sources.”

The fnancial toll on agricultural enterprises can reach tens of thousands of dollars annually due to increased grazing pressure, crop loss, and infrastructure damage.

Urban areas are not immune, as feral deer graze on lawns and backyard gardens, destroy landscaping, damage community spaces like parks, and cause motor vehicle accidents.

Dean cautioned against approaching feral deer, noting their unpredictability and potential aggression, particularly in stags. “We encourage landholders and residents to report sightings of feral deer to help prioritize management efforts,” he added.

To report feral deer sightings:

• Download and install the FeralScan app on your smartphone at www. feralscan.org.au

• Record a sighting on the FeralScan website

• Call your nearest Local Land Services offce at 1300 795 299 For more information on managing feral deer, contact the North Coast Local Land Services Biosecurity Team at your local offce or call 1300 795 299.