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Deer (feral)
- Some species of deer are listed as declared animals in Queensland.
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- Red deer (Cervus elaphus)
General information
Eighteen deer (Family cervidae) species were introduced into Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly by acclimatisation societies. The majority of these animals perished. However, six of the liberated species - chital, red deer, rusa deer, fallow deer, hog deer and sambar - survived and went on to form viable wild populations.
In 1980, it was estimated that Australia had about 50,000 wild deer in 20 populations, mainly in the eastern states. But with the emergence of deer farming, this situation began to change. Escapes from deer farms and translocations of deer since the 1980s have seen the number of wild deer in Australia increase to about 200,000 in some 218 populations. It is estimated that there are now about 30,000 wild deer in Queensland in at least 20 populations.
Fallow, red, rusa and chital deer have known established populations in Queensland (see individual species pages for details).
Following extensive consultation from 2005-2008, all species of feral deer were declared as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 pest animals. Feral deer are any deer that are not confined in a deer-proof enclosure.
| Scientific name | Family cervidae |
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| Impacts |
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| Description |
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| Habitat and distribution |
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| Declaration details | Under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, feral deer are declared pest animals. Feral deer are any deer that are not enclosed in a deer-proof fence. Class 1 declared deer Not known to occur in Queensland. Subject to eradication if found in Queensland. Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by Biosecurity Queensland. Penalties of up to $80,000 apply. It is also an offence to release a Class 1 animal into the environment. Class 1 declared deer:
Class 2 declared deer Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 2 pests. It is an offence to introduce, keep, feed, supply or release Class 2 pest animals, without a permit. Class 2 declared deer:
Class 3 declared deer It is an offence to introduce, feed, supply or release Class 3 pest animals, without a permit. Landholders are not required to control Class 3 pests unless their land is adjacent to an environmentally significant area. Class 3 declared deer:
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| Further information |
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