PARK WATCH Article June 2025 |
Decisive action can help eradicate feral deer from national parks following bushfires
We have a great opportunity to aerially cull feral deer populations in large areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) and Little Desert national parks, as well as Mt Buangor State Park, that were burnt by bushfire over the past few months.
Burnt and recovering canopies and vegetation in the park mean thermally assisted removal of feral deer is easier. Cullers can target feral deer more efficiently and safely.
Victoria’s West Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028 prescribes local eradication of deer in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park over the next five years. It aims to keep deer out of the Little Desert National Park and eradicate the currently low levels in the area.
Following the 2019/20 bushfires, aerial control effectively removed thousands of feral deer, pigs and cattle. The reduction of some deer species was up to 54 per cent in some parks. An entire population of feral cows was removed in the Snowy River National Park.
In March, VNPA and an alliance of state and regional conservation groups and land holders, wrote to both state and federal environment ministers. Together we called for immediate and long-term funding to eradicate feral deer from these parks.
If these park habitats are going to recover (think wildflowers, orchids and gum trees), this is a pivotal time to give deer the boot.
We just need our elected representatives to stump up funding and support to make the most out of this sad situation.
Jordan Crook, Parks and Nature Campaigner
- Read the latest full edition of Park Watch magazine
- Subscribe to keep up-to-date about this and other nature issues in Victoria
- Become a member to receive Park Watch magazine in print
