Feral deer and goats targeted in ambitious Now or Never project
An ambitious pest animal project is using state-of-the-art thermal technology and pest control professionals to address the costly and environmentally-damaging issue of feral deer and goat populations.
The 3-year Now or Never project will see nearly $1.7 million invested across Northern and Yorke, Hills and Fleurieu and Adelaide’s peri-urban areas to curb the spread of these invasive species before numbers become unmanageable.
Feral deer and goats pose significant risks to agricultural assets and our natural ecosystems. In 2022, 40,000 feral deer across South Australia were estimated to cause $36 million in agricultural losses. Without taking extra action, it is projected that by 2032, deer numbers would increase to 200,000 across the state, costing agriculture $242 million.
In the Northern and Yorke region, the 2022 deer population was estimated at 5,000, with projections this number would surge to more than 36,000 by 2032.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Compliance Officer Jess Cavallo said the project name, Now or Never, revealed the urgency behind the control work.
“It’s a crucial, time-sensitive opportunity to eradicate these pest animals before a boom in numbers has devastating impacts on our landscapes and farms,” she said.
“Community involvement will be key to the project’s success, so we encourage landholders to get in touch.”
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is coordinating large-scale control efforts, with private landholders invited to be part of the program. It will involve aerial and ground-level shoots, with the use of thermal technology to help expose pest animals.
Landholders with a feral deer or goat problem on their property are encouraged to get in touch with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board. To get involved or learn more, please contact Tim Howard, Pest Animal Project Officer on 0460 652 396 or email tim.howard2@sa.gov.au.
The Now or Never project is funded by the State Government’s Landscape Priority Fund and is a collaborative project between Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, Green Adelaide and Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
