we have feral deer in Oz. Various species have been introduced and can have major impacts in parks and reserves, by:
„h destroying native plants. Deer can trample plants, graze on them, and ring-bark young trees. In Royal National Park, deer have had a major impact on the variety and abundance of plant species.
„h fouling waterholes
„h causing soil erosion
„h transmitting diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease
„h spreading weeds.

Rusa deer from Indonesia were introduced approximately 100 years ago. The population is having significant impacts on the Royal National Park in nsw. The bushfire in late December 2001 burnt more than 50 per cent of the park and this has accentuated the impacts and increased the urgency of the need to reduce deer numbers.
The number of deer will be reduced by a ground-shooting program undertaken by appropriately trained shooters. The proposed shooting program will follow an approved animal welfare and safety protocol and is supported by all members of the Deer Working Group. Animal welfare organisations will audit the shooting program.