Aussies warned of $96 million threat spilling onto our roads: 'Many don't know'
Australians across every state and territory are being urged to keep a look-out for one of the country's most problematic introduced species, with the troublemaker's activity soon set to drastically "intensify" and spill onto roads.
First brought to Australia in the early 1800s by European settlers, deer were mainly imported for recreational hunting. Red deer were introduced to Tasmania in 1827, followed by several other species over the years, including fallow, sambar, chital and muntjac.
The intention was to establish game species for hunting and to introduce animals that mirrored those of the settlers' homelands, creating a more familiar European landscape. However, Australia's ecosystems, having evolved in isolation for millions of years, were never designed to accommodate them. As a result, their populations have exploded.
Due to the fact they have no natural predators here, deer numbers have risen exponentially across the entire continent, with estimates now suggesting there are millions. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions CEO Shauna Chadlowe encouraged all residents to photograph and report deer when they see them.
"Reporting by the public helps us know where the feral deer are, particularly in new areas, as well as areas where deer are spreading," she said. "Knowing where they are helps land management agencies and communities better prepare for early action to keep numbers and impacts of deer low and manageable, rather than waiting for them to get out of hand."
Tracking where feral deer are spreading also forewarns towns that will have a problem with the pest in coming years. Feral deer can reside in an area for many months or even years before the community notices, or starts to have concerns, Chadlowe said.
"By this stage, the numbers of deer have often grown quickly and control efforts are expensive and time consuming. Getting on top of deer early is the most cost-effective approach to keeping them in check."
DeerScan reports can be used by land management agencies and councils to help inform where community awareness, education and control efforts can be best supported.
Chadlowe said as the animals continue to spread around the country, there's a heightened risk of feral deer on the road as well. They're already widely found across Australia, but are particularly common in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.
While they can be managed through ground or aerial methods, with some peri-urban areas using traps where shooting is not permitted, effective control requires coordinated efforts across properties, as deer move between them daily. It makes tracking their movements paramount.
Iconic species faces 'being lost forever' over $18 billion threat
Aussie homeowners face 'avalanche' of destructive invasive species
Aussies told to hunt for invasive threat 'lurking' in gardens
National Deer Management Coordinator for the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Dr Annelise Wiebkin, said with extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and fires, pushing the the species into new areas, residents can expect to find them in places they might not have been before.
To counter their breeding rate, a 35-50 per cent reduction in deer numbers per year is needed, which can be achieved through strategic, frequent and timely efforts, she said. "Many Australians are not aware that we have feral deer in Australia (almost 40 per cent), so we need to raise the awareness ... and encourage more uniform and widespread action," she said.
"Activity will intensify in coming weeks, so people may see deer more often or even for the first time in a new area. We have a small window of opportunity to track their spread and support control efforts, particularly in areas where feral deer numbers are still low."
"Feral deer trash and eat native vegetation, ringbark trees, create wallows, trample undergrowth and spread weed seeds, all things that threaten the survival of native flora and fauna."
Deer also pose a threat to agriculture, as they damage crops and fences, leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Whats more, they're are known to carry diseases, such as chronic wasting disease and tuberculosis, which can potentially spread to native wildlife and livestock, further disrupting local ecosystems. Their population is now estimated to be between one and two million.
In 2021, feral deer were responsible for costing the Australian economy approximately $91.3 million. This includes $69.1 million in agricultural losses. Additionally, public expenditure on control efforts reached $17.8 million, reflecting the ongoing challenge of managing deer populations.
The economic impact also extends to infrastructure, with deer-related motor vehicle collisions causing an estimated $3.3 million in damages, as well as $1.2 million in train collisions.
Australians can find additional deer resources here.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: A reason to keep honoring
Jun. 6—Thursday was the anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II that turned the tide of the European conflict toward the favor of the allies. Friday was another opportunity to not only remember one of the most pivotal battles of the war, but to honor the soldiers who hit the beaches that day along the Normandy coast and those that gave their lives. It was display of bravery that will be etched in the annals of history and requires us, as on-lookers, to acknowledge each year that bloody assault on June 6, 1944. The reality is that for many soldiers still alive who served during World War II this may well be the last D-Day they see. The world is losing our World War II veterans, an inevitability for us all in the march of time. While it's important that we honor all of those — men and women — who served, fought and died in defense of our nation while they live with us today, it will remain on us to continue to remember these people after their time on this planet has come to an end. They have done what many of us would not or could not do. They've marched into the worst conditions and came out the other side, while still others never saw past that day. This is a sacrifice of life and the least we can do is remember that sacrifice going forward. We owe it to these brave souls to remember not just their deeds, but their names. We are able to enjoy freedom in France, England, here at home and around the globe because men women of valor stood up and said "I'll go." When the soldiers of World War II — as in any conflict — are all gone, we will look back and know with pride that we are who we are because of them and that comes with no less a burden today as it was in the entirety of this nation. That's why, as time moves on, days like the D-Day anniversary become increasingly important because these men and women need to know our gratitude while they are still here with us. And if they are not, then those days stand as stark reminders that the freedom and rights we enjoy today are based on the soldiers who stood up to evil.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Drivers warned as tragic scene on Aussie roadside prompts calls for rule change
A driver's devastating ordeal on a quiet rural road has prompted an outcry from Aussies — with some calling for major change. Queensland's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed to Yahoo News that a cassowary was hit by a car near Mission Beach on Thursday, with the sad scene prompting some to call for a drastic reduction in speed limits on roads that cut through the bird's natural habitat — and for drivers to pay more attention to native animals. The area in Far North Queenslad is famous for its cassowary population, with many flocking from around the world to see the giant flightless birds which are adored and feared in equal measure. Local residents regularly share excited tales of the elusuive creatures exploring their backyards, making the loss a huge blow to the community. Video shared by Mission Beach Wildcare showed the male cassowary, which "ran straight out in front of a car," lying under a blanket on the side of Tully Mission Beach Rd. The driver who hit the bird immediately called for assistance after the tragic accident. The impact of the car alone did not kill the bird, but sadly the severity of the injuries it sustained caused it to be "humanely euthanised", the department told Yahoo. Sadly, the cassowary was accompanied by two juvenile birds, who must now fend for themselves. "A member of the public reported the incident and remained with the bird until the department could arrange for a veterinarian to attend the scene and assess its condition," A DETSI spokesperson told Yahoo News. "Two juvenile cassowaries that were with their father at the time of the incident were unharmed. "Following a thorough assessment, the veterinarian determined that the juveniles were of sufficient age and stage of development to be left in the wild, rather than having to be taken into care." DETSI's policy is to avoid removing wild animals from their natural habitat unless "absolutely necessary". Yahoo Understands that officers will continue monitoring the young birds to make sure they are coping on their own. "New wildlife crossing signage has also been installed in the area to alert motorists to the presence of cassowaries along Tully Mission Beach Road and help prevent further incidents," the department said. A spokesperson for Mission Beach Wildcare explained that many of the locals know the birds well, making it an especially tough blow. The spokesperson pleaded with drivers to "please be aware of our wildlife" as traffic flow increases with the tourist season kicking in, fearing this is the first of many "more casualties on the horizon". Speed limits along the road which connects the town of Tully to Mission Beach, reach as high as 100kph in some parts, prompting calls from some local residents to drastically alter rules around speed in the region. "Drivers just need to slow down and watch out for wildlife," one local resident said, with others echoing this call. Earlier this year, NRMA released details of its Wildlife Collision Hotspots across Australia — with 12,100 claims related to cases of animals being hit by cars in 2024. The statistic makes the last 12 months the second worst in the past five years. Data revealed that the most common time for incidents to occur is in autumn and winter when days are shorter, cooler and nocturnal animals are more active. Worryingly, incidents jumped by 25 per cent between March and April last year. Sadly, there is another issue impacting cassowary populations. They are being fed by humans, causing them to cross roads "more frequently than necessary" for an easy meal. Authorities have repeatedly pleaded with tourists and residents to never feed or interact with the wild animals. The birds have been seen brazenly entering camper's tents, indicating that it has become habituated to receiving food from humans. In another incident, wild footage emerged of a cassowary chasing after a woman with a McDonald's Big Mac, renewing the pleas to steer clear of the world's most dangerous animal. DETSI said that visitors and residents can help reserve wild populations of cassowaries in the following ways: Never approach cassowaries. Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them. Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal and can be dangerous for the birds and for humans. Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids. Always slow down when driving in cassowary territory. Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road. Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash. Cassowary sightings in north Queensland should be reported to QPWS by calling 1300 130 372. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Incredible drone photo shows 'prolific' problem costing Australia $100m annually
An Australian pest controller has highlighted a destructive issue impacting rural Australia, causing a $100 million burden on the agricultural industry every year. Incredible drone images of an oat paddock on the mid North Coast of New South Wales highlight just how effectively and systematically feral pigs can dig up crops in search of their next meal. Licensed shooter Nathan told Yahoo News that pigs are "prolific" in the area. It took him just four hours to take down 75 of the invasive beasts earlier this week. "It looks like a WW2 field in Normandy after a mortar barrage," he said of the destruction caused by the pests. To Nathan, it highlights exactly what a population of feral pigs can do in a "very short space of time" on soft, wet ground. In NSW, it's estimated that pigs occupy up to 60 per cent of the state. They spread weeds, disease, and outcompete native species. While it's widely accepted that feral pigs will never be completely eradicated in mainland Australia, the shocking images have prompted calls for a "realistic" approach to tackling the issue. Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council told Yahoo News pigs are "well known" for causing such damage, adding that it's a "real problem". The omnivorous animals will "eat all sorts", even digging up native turtles and their eggs. "They're after roots and grubs and insects and seeds and worms, so there's a lot of food for them in the soil," she explained. "It's not just in paddocks but in natural habitats, and you often come across diggings and instantly recognise them as pigs." The economic burden of such destruction falls heavily on crop growers and pastoralists. "If they get a big mob of pigs, they'll lose some of their crop or pasture," Booth said. President of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA), Ned Makim previously told Yahoo the onus has fallen on landowners to eliminate the species — who he likened to rodents. Some land owners are calling in vertebrate pest controllers like Nathan while others are offering free accommodation to shooters whose sole responsibility is to keep their populations down. 🐗 Bold new national park plan to hunt invasive species 📸 Incredible photos show major triumph in $100m invasive outback battle 🔥 Unexpected way pristine Aussie island wiped out invasive threat Dr Booth said that authorities need to be "totally realistic" about what it will take to solve the huge problem of feral pigs. "They are highly adaptable and they are very widespread," she said, adding that it's "not feasible" to control their populations across the entirety of our vast country. Many have called for bounties for feral pigs, foxes and cats, with one politician telling Yahoo we're "losing the battle" against the species. But Dr Booth doesn't think it's the right solution, arguing ground shooting alone is "fairly limited" across large areas. 'If you're trying to control pigs at a landscape level, hunters are not the solution because they are not effective enough," she explained. She argues a combination of aerial shooting, ground shooting, baiting and trapping is required to manage feral pig numbers, all while focusing on key at-risk areas. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
