Deer are present in Australia, though they are not native to the continent. Introduced over a century ago, these animals have established wild populations across various regions. Their presence marks them as an introduced species, differing significantly from Australia’s unique indigenous wildlife. They have adapted to diverse Australian environments, leading to their widespread distribution today.
Deer’s Arrival in Australia
Deer were first introduced to Australia in the 19th century, primarily for hunting and sport, aligning with the “acclimatisation” movement of the era. European settlers aimed to recreate familiar landscapes and activities from their homelands.
The chital deer was likely the first species to arrive, possibly in Sydney between 1800 and 1803. Later in the 19th century, other species like Fallow deer were imported to Tasmania by the 1830s, and Red deer also began arriving around the same time, with significant introductions in the 1860s. Acclimatisation societies and private individuals actively established captive breeding populations to facilitate further releases into the wild.
Types and Locations of Deer
Australia is currently home to six established species of wild deer: Fallow, Red, Sambar, Chital, Rusa, and Hog deer. These species exhibit distinct characteristics and occupy various geographical areas across the continent.
Fallow deer (Dama dama) are among the most widespread, found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. They are medium-sized with variable coat colors and are often seen in open woodlands and farmlands. Red deer (Cervus elaphus), which are larger, are established in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, favoring mixed grassland and forest areas. Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), known for their large stature, are well-established in Victoria, particularly along the Great Dividing Range, and also found in parts of New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Chital deer (Axis axis), characterized by their spotted coats, have established populations primarily in Queensland, with smaller, isolated groups in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are found in feral populations in South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, often preferring grassy areas near woodlands. Hog deer (Axis porcinus), the smallest of the introduced species, have viable populations mainly in Victoria.
Impact and Control Measures
As an introduced species, deer have caused considerable environmental and agricultural damage across Australia. Their foraging activities, including browsing and grazing, directly affect native vegetation, leading to a reduction in plant diversity and cover. Deer can destroy saplings, ring-bark mature trees by rubbing their antlers, and contribute to soil erosion, especially in wet areas where their hooves churn up soil. They also spread invasive weeds, which further degrade native habitats, and foul waterways through direct deposition of waste and disturbance of stream banks.
In agricultural settings, deer compete with livestock for pasture and crops, damaging fences, vineyards, and orchards. They can also act as carriers of diseases that affect livestock, such as cattle ticks and other pathogens. The estimated cost of feral deer to Australian communities and primary producers is substantial, reaching approximately $91 million annually. Furthermore, large deer can pose a road safety hazard, leading to vehicle collisions.
Various strategies are being implemented or considered to manage deer populations and mitigate their impacts. Shooting is a common control measure, as is exclusion fencing to protect specific areas. Efforts also focus on preventing escapes from deer farms to limit the establishment of new wild populations or the bolstering of existing ones.
The Australian government has initiated the National Feral Deer Action Plan, a collaborative effort aiming to stop the spread, suppress, or eradicate feral deer populations to reduce their negative impacts. South Australia, for instance, has a strategic plan to eradicate feral deer by 2032, involving the removal of thousands of deer.