The aerial deer survey results have shown an increase in both population numbers and spatial distribution. It should be a wake-up call for the Liberal Government to take action on invasive deer and remove protection over the species.
For years, the community has been sounding the alarm over the exponential rise in the fallow deer population in Tasmania. The Liberals haven’t listened to the community and taken the action needed to reduce feral deer numbers.
Invasive deer are creating irreversible environmental damage in our National Parks and in the Wilderness World Heritage Area. Their impacts hit farmers and primary producers in the back pocket.
The cost of inaction is too great. The Liberals must take decisive steps to irradicate fallow deer before it’s too late and the population becomes too big to control.
If we are to protect our wild places and primary producers, action on deer must be taken now by the Liberal Government. It begins by removing their partially protected species status, as was recommended by the State of the Environment Report.
