Feral deer shooting is effectively reducing populations where aerial hunting is most intense

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-06-06 00:01

Australia; VIC

Photo by Sandaru Madhawa on Unsplash

Aerial shooting from a helicopter as an attempt to reduce the population of feral sambar deer in regional Victoria is effective in areas where hunting is most intense but less so in other areas, according to Australian research. The team analysed data on sambar deer populations in various regions to get a sense of how shooting activities were impacting them. The researchers say at four sites where there was the highest intensity of helicopter searches for the deer, there were population reductions of 50-70%. However, they say populations have remained static or even increased in other regions where the aerial searches are less intense.

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Journal/
conference: Wildlife Research

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victoria

Funder: The aerial shooting program was established and supported through the Victorian Government’s funding package to support the Bushfire Biodiversity Response and Recovery program. Additional funding was also provided through the Australian Government’s Regional Fund for Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery.

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