Landholders and travellers on the Eyre Peninsula are being urged to report deer sightings, following a recent increase in feral deer activity in the area.
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Officer Ben Tucker said deer are a declared pest and pose significant environmental and social impacts if they are not controlled.
"Deer have the ability to disperse over hundreds of kilometres relatively quickly and damage native vegetation, increase soil erosion and reduce biodiversity by impacting vegetation and habitats for threatened species such as Mallee fowl," he said.
Reporting deer sightings will assist with management and control of the pest species.
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Along with environmental damage, feral deer can carry exotic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis that can infect domestic stock, according to Mr Tucker.
"And when deer are present near highways, they are a significant hazard for motorists and could easily cause fatal collisions," he said.
"The males are also extremely aggressive during breeding season, and this could pose a threat to public safety for bushwalkers, campers and landholders."
To report a feral deer sighting, contact Mr Tucker on 0428 846 741 or log sightings at feralscan.org.au
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