Queensland Feral Deer Management Strategy 2022-27

Abstract

Deer are not native or indigenous animals of Queensland or Australia. Four species — fallow deer (Dama dama), chital deer (Axis axis), rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are established in Queensland. There are no known populations of hog deer (Axis porcinus) or sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) living in a wild state in Queensland. However, the State remains vulnerable to escape of specimens kept under permit or spread from populations elsewhere in Australia. The established populations of feral red, feral fallow, feral chital and feral rusa are putting pressure on natural and agricultural assets in Queensland. The Feral deer management strategy 2022-27 provides stakeholders with a vision and set of strategic goals and objectives to guide feral deer management in Queensland.