Impact on threatened flora and fauna
Feral deer are listed by the NSW Government as a pest animal. They now fall into the same category as feral pigs, wild rabbits and foxes under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.
Feral deer alter plant communities and the habitat of native wildlife by grazing and impacting the soil structure. Impacts are particularly significant in sensitive habitats such as coastal saltmarsh, littoral rainforest and riparian habitats.
Feral deer graze and trample the habitat of threatened species. Threatened plants such as Noah’s False Chickweed (Lindernia alsinoides), Trailing Woodruff (Asperula asthenes) and Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum). They also spread weed species into natural environments.
Male deer cause substantial damage to native trees and shrubs by antler rubbing, which can kill native plants by ringbarking.
Feral deer alter the structure and environmental conditions of the habitat of threatened animals in the MidCoast. By reducing the vegetation cover, some animals can be more at risk from predation or exposure. This can impact species such as long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus), eastern chestnut mouse (Psuedomys gracilicaudatus), giant barred frog (Mixophyes iteratus) and rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens).
Impact on waterways
Feral deer, with their hard hooves, compact soil and impact water quality. They tend to create trails where the exposed soil can be washed into waterways. Male deer scrape and mark the ground, which can pollute creeks and rivers. The droppings of feral deer cause nutrient changes to soils and can be washed into waterways, increasing the risk of algal blooms. Water pollution can impact aquatic ecosystems and the plants and animals that rely on clean, clear water.
Impact on Aboriginal culture
Aboriginal cultural heritage values are at risk from the impacts of deer. Deer can compact and damage native plants and degrade, compact or erode important Aboriginal cultural sites.
Impact on agriculture
Feral deer damage farm fences and invade crops. They also compete with livestock for food and they harbour and spread significant livestock diseases. Feral deer also cause damage and erosion around dams and creeks.
Did you know? Feral deer can eat up to 3.6 times as much as a sheep!
It is estimated that feral deer cost the NSW economy tens of millions of dollars annually.
Impact on urban and peri-urban areas
On the MidCoast, feral deer are increasingly present in urban areas as their populations expand and grow. Feral deer graze on lawns, landscaping, flower beds and vegetable gardens. Feral deer cause damage to community spaces such as cemeteries and parks.
Due to their large size and their feeding and movement patterns, feral deer are a substantial risk to life and property through vehicle strikes and near-miss accidents.
Feral deer are also known to attack and injure people when they are defending their young or escaping confinement.