Feral deer in suburban driveways highlight need for urgent action

While feral deer are an issue across South Australia, new footage captured by a Mt Osmond resident has put a spotlight on the growing feral deer population across Greater Adelaide.

Feral deer, widely regarded as Australia’s worst emerging vertebrate pest, are found across about 40% of the agricultural parts of South Australia causing damage to native vegetation, agriculture, and waterways.

In peri-urban areas, feral deer are more difficult to control and raise additional concerns for residents. Recent peri-urban feral deer sightings have been reported in Mount Osmond, Belair, Crafers, Bridgewater, as well as Chandlers Hill and Onkaparinga Hills.

The footage, recorded at a private residence, underscores the challenges these animals pose to residents, the environment, and road safety.

The Mount Osmond resident who captured the footage was surprised to see the deer so close to his home.

“I still can’t believe it when I check the footage and see deer casually strolling down my driveway in the middle of the night,” he said. “We’ve had almost daily sightings in the past twelve months and have seen them wandering around sporadically for a few years now. The problem is getting worse.”

“They’ve worn trails through the garden, eating our plants and stripping our fruit trees as they go. They are a real nuisance but not exactly easy to control without help,” said the concerned resident.

The Greater Adelaide Peri-Urban Feral Deer Eradication Plan, led by Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu and Green Adelaide, is focussed on reducing feral deer numbers across the region. Sightings like these highlight the need for urgent action.

“Feral deer are among the most damaging invasive species in Australia,” said Tom Kloeden from Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu. “They don’t just harm the environment – they trash and destroy habitats. They trample delicate bushland, strip vegetation bare, and turn creeks into muddy wastelands. Native animals that depend on these ecosystems are left struggling to survive.”

“We’ve seen the devastation they cause in the eastern states where feral deer populations have spiralled out of control. In the Adelaide Hills and surrounding areas, we have a small window of time to act, and we’re calling on the community to help by reporting any sightings of feral deer at feralscan.org.au.”

Land managers across Greater Adelaide and the Hills and Fleurieu can also register their interest in joining the feral deer eradication program. Joining the program is free and enables our staff to discuss safe, effective and professional control operations to be subsequently undertaken. Registrations of interest can be made here.

Across the state

The issue of peri-urban feral deer is not limited to Greater Adelaide, with residents in many rural townships also affected and encouraged to report sightings of feral deer at feralscan.org.au.

More information on feral deer can be found on local landscape board websites, details for all boards are available at landscape.sa.gov.au.