Limestone Coast landowners are being invited to take part in a feral deer eradication program, after aerial monitoring to identify local populations.
Earlier this year the Limestone Coast Landscape Board conducted aerial monitoring to survey targeted areas of native vegetation where feral deer were suspected to shelter.
Limestone Coast Landscape Board Operations Manager Mike Stevens said the estimated average density of feral deer was 2.97 per square kilometre across the 10 survey areas with over eight deer per square kilometre detected in one area.
The survey used thermal assisted technology to identify feral deer in thick vegetation.
Mr Stevens said observations have been reported to the affected landholders and the monitoring data will inform the board’s Feral Deer Eradication Program.
“Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (the Act) feral deer are a declared pest, and landholders are responsible for the eradication of all feral deer on their properties,” he said.
“Feral deer have significant economic impact to landholders and are a risk to the environment with potential to spread diseases to livestock.
“We are now notifying the affected landholders and are seeking to work with them to ensure they are aware of their obligation to destroy all feral deer on their property and are inviting them to participate in our Feral Deer Eradication Program.
“The LC Landscape Board can help landholders meet their legal obligation to eradicate all feral deer on their property.
“Our eradication programs are free to all landholders, and this is part of significant investment over the next few years to achieve eradication of all feral deer in the region.”
Limestone Coast Landscape Board General Manager Steve Bourne said feral deer had significant impacts on properties.
“When just one red stag’s grazing capacity equates to 3.6 sheep, the findings of eight feral deer per square kilometre in the seriously affected areas can reduce a farm’s grazing capacity by over 28 sheep per square kilometre (100 hectares),” he said.
The board will repeat the thermal aerial monitoring in spring 2022 and autumn 2023 to assist with feral deer detection and support eradication programs.
