Victoria’s Wildlife Act (1975) covers a range of issues associated with protecting our wildlife, including protecting deer! The definition of wildlife in the Act specifically includes “all types of deer” and deer fit into the category of “protected wildlife” and may not be destroyed without authorisation. Chital, Fallow, Hog, Red, Rusa and Sambar deer are also declared by the Governor in Council as “game”.
When the Wildlife Act was constituted in 1975, the feral deer population in Victoria was small and confined to a few areas. The population of feral deer has now grown substantially over the last four decades and is now widespread across the State (see growth timeline above). It is estimated there are now over 1 million feral deer in Victoria. This is despite being regulated through game management and controlled hunting. Sambar deer has since been listed as a Potentially Threatening Process under the Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
When the Wildlife Act was constituted in 1975, the feral deer population in Victoria was small and confined to a few areas. The population of feral deer has now grown substantially over the last four decades and is now widespread across the State (see growth timeline above). It is estimated there are now over 1 million feral deer in Victoria. This is despite being regulated through game management and controlled hunting. Sambar deer has since been listed as a Potentially Threatening Process under the Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
In 2013, in response to pressure from landowners, a Governor in Council declaration was made to make deer (excluding hog deer) unprotected on private land so landowners could take control of feral deer on their properties. They are still protected on public land.
The report on Ecosystem Decline in Victoria by the Victorian Parliament Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee found that “deer are a widespread invasive species, profoundly damaging to Victoria’s ecosystems and that “invasive deer species have a complex and seemingly contradictory status under Victorian legislation”.
The Wildlife Act (1974) is currently being reviewed and it’s time to bring it up to date. There is a strong argument that it’s time to remove the confusing status of deer as protected wildlife from the Act so they can be considered an established pest animal. The review process started last year with an Expert Advisory Panel being established to consult with the community. Their report was released late last year.
The next step is for the Victorian Government’s draft future directions paper to be released for community consultation (early 2022) which will be followed by final recommendations for reform to Minister.
You can read the Expert Panel Consultation summary and keep track of the process from here by clicking below.
