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The Dietary Impacts of Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) in Native Ecosystems of South-Eastern Australia
Author Matthew Quin B.Sc. (Wildlife and Conservation Biology)A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science by Research
A Before – After Control-Impact experiment reveals that culling reduces the impacts of invasive deer on endangered peatlands.
Authors Sebastien Comte, Andrew J. Bengsen, Elaine Thomas, Ami Bennett,Naomi E. Davis, Daniel Brown, David M. Forsyth. Summary Invasive deer have undesirable impacts on native
Glovebox guide to managing feral deer
Authors Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. David Forsyth, Sebastien Comte, Andrew Bengsen, Jordan Hampton, Tony Pople. Summary This Glovebox Guide to Managing Feral Deer is
National Feral Deer Action Plan 2023–28
Feral deer are a growing threat to Australia’s primary industries, natural environments and community values. Feral deer populations are increasing and spreading across Australia and are projected to cover much of the continent.
West Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028
The purpose of the Plan is to guide deer control and management actions in western Victoria from 2023-2028 by identifying priority areas to prevent or minimise the impact of deer on our environmental, cultural, social, and economic values
East Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028
The purpose of the Plan is to guide deer control and management actions in eastern Victoria from 2023-2028 by identifying priority areas to prevent or minimise the impact of deer on our environmental, cultural, social, and economic values.
Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in an alpine landscape
Our results emphasise the need for careful evaluation of sambar deer impacts within
individual sites and at small spatial scales. The detection of species of conservation significance in the diet indicates that the presence of sambar deer should be considered a significant risk to biodiversity in areas of high conservation value.
Victorian Deer Control Program Grant Funding and Strategy Implementation: 2022 2023
Authors Michelle Hanslow Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Adaption. Summary This is a presentation on the funding and progress of the Victorian Deer Control
Cost-effectiveness of volunteer and contract ground-based shooting of sambar deer in Australia
The catch per unit effort of contract shooters was four times greater than that of volunteer shooters. After accounting for key operational costs, the cost per deer killed was 10.1% higher for contract than volunteer shooters. The effectiveness of ground-based shooters is increased by operating at night using vehicles, spotlights and thermal-vision equipment. Contract shooters kill sambar deer at a faster rate, but are slightly more expensive per deer killed, than are volunteer shooters.
Interspecific variation in the diet of a native apex predator and invasive mesopredator in an alpine ecosystem
Our results suggest that the introduction of novel prey may alter predator–predator interactions by causing a reduction in the dietary overlap. Therefore, in the context of integrated wildlife management and biodiversity conservation, any control of novel, invasive prey populations needs to consider possible flow on effects to apex- and meso-predator diets and potential secondary impacts on native prey.
Interactions between dingoes and introduced wild ungulates: concepts, evidence and knowledge gaps
We propose that interactions between dingoes and introduced wild ungulates depend on the sex–age classes vulnerable to dingo predation, dingo pack sizes, the availability of escape terrain for ungulates and the availability of alternative foods for dingoes. The interplay between environmental conditions and the population growth rate of ungulates, and hence their ability to sustain losses from predation, could also be important. We predict that dingoes will have most impact on the abundance of smaller ungulate species and neonates.
Seasonal and daily activity of non-native sambar deer in and around high-elevation peatlands, south-eastern Australia
Control operations targeting sambar deer at high elevations in south-eastern Australia should be conducted during October–June. Outside this period sambar deer appear to use lower-elevation habitats. The effectiveness of ground-based shooting could be improved by focusing this control action around sunset (when sambar deer are most active) and in places with dense vegetation close to roads and high-elevation peatlands.
Deer Identification Guide
Authors Cumberland Land Conservancy, Landcare NSW, Greater Sydney Landcare Network, Local Land Services and Department of Primary Industries Summary A pictorial guide to identifying deer
Estimating deer density and abundance using spatial mark–resight models with camera trap data
Twelve surveys provided sufficient data for analysis and seven produced density estimates with coefficients of variation (CVs) ≤ 0.25. Estimated densities ranged from 0.3 to 24.6 deer km−2Camera trap surveys and SMR models provided a powerful and flexible approach for estimating deer densities in populations in which many detections were not individually identifiable, and they should provide useful density estimates under a wide range of conditions that are not amenable to more widely used methods.
Estimates of the 2022 deer harvest in Victoria
The total estimated deer harvest in 2022 was 123,376 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 98,177-155,042), 49% above the average since 2009 (82,802) but similar to 2018 (121,567) and 2021 (118,874). The similarity in overall annual deer harvest compared to 2021 can be explained by an increase in the proportion of active hunters (39%) and efficiency (19% increase in deer harvested per hunting day) being counteracted by the overall number of hunting days decreasing by 12%.
Origins and population genetics of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) introduced to Australia and New Zealand
The lack of population genetic structure that we found within introduced populations suggests that individuals within these populations do not experience barriers to dispersal across the areas sampled. Although genetic diversity is reduced in the introduced range compared with the native range, sambar deer in Australia and New Zealand harbour unique genetic variants that could be used to strengthen genetic diversity in populations under threat in the native range. The apparent high levels of gene flow across the areas we sampled suggest that localised control is unlikely to be effective in Australia and New Zealand.
Combining citizen science and recreational hunters to monitor exotic ungulates and native wildlife in a protected area of north eastern Argentina
A systematic management program of exotic wild boar (Sus scrofa) and axis deer (Axis axis) in a protected area of north eastern Argentina (El
Palmar National Park) provided a framework for implementing a wildlife monitoring system based on park-affiliated hunters.
Serosurveillance and Molecular Investigation of Wild Deer in Australia Reveals Seroprevalence of Pestivirus Infection
The aim of this study was to assess blood samples from wild Australian deer for serological evidence of exposure to relevant viral livestock diseases. . Our findings demonstrated a very low seroprevalence (3%) for ruminant Pestivirus, and none of the other viruses tested were detected. These results suggest that wild deer may currently be an incidental spill-over host (rather than a reservoir host) for Pestivirus.
Introduced deer and their potential role in disease transmission to livestock in Australia
Authors Jemma K. CRIPPS, Carlo PACIONI, Michael P. SCROGGIE, Andrew P. WOOLNOUGH, David S. L. RAMSEY. Summary The transmission of pathogens between wildlife and livestock
Forensic and Population Genetic Analysis of Introduced and Endangered Hog Deer(Axis porcinus)
Genetic analysis of the Victorian population provides an
effective tool to ensure management of hog deer addresses questions surrounding
effective population control, game management, and conservation considerations.
