Landscape Board Calls on Community to Dob In A Deer
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is calling on residents and landholders in Loxton North to report sightings of feral deer to develop a better understanding about the scale and location of this pest species.
The 'Dob in a Deer' campaign aims to raise awareness about the growing numbers of deer and encourage people to report sightings via the FeralScan app.
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board member Jason Size says the Dob In a Deer campaign will help collect data so the landscape board can monitor deer populations effectively.
“Feral deer are causing real harm to our farmers and our environment,” Jason said. “This initiative is crucial to safeguarding both agricultural productivity and public safety in the area. By controlling feral deer now, we can avoid devastating financial and ecological impacts in the future.”
Senior District Officer, Jamie Courtney stressed the importance of community involvement in managing this invasive pest.
“Loxton North is in a really unique situation where local eradication of feral deer is achievable if managed early” Jamie said. “When we know their location, population size and movements, then we can take action to control them.”
“We are asking the community to assist us by reporting deer sightings and actively controlling the animals on their properties.” Jamie said.
Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, landholders are legally obligated to control feral deer, just as they are with other pests like foxes and rabbits.
“While it is a landholder’s responsibility, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board can provide expert advice, access to traps and other support to help landholders”. Jamie said.
Landholders are part of the solution
Currently 9 Loxton North landholders have joined the campaign by reporting sightings.
“You don’t have to see a feral deer to make a report” Jamie said. “Landholders have reported seeing tracks and scats, damage to crops, irrigation systems and fences. Seeing evidence deer have been present is enough for us to start mapping out their locations more precisely”.
For more information on how to report sightings or to learn more about feral deer, visit the feral deer webpage or download the FeralScan app.
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.
