South Australian Government Unveils Plan to Eradicate Feral Deer in 10 Years

The South Australian (SA) government has announced a plan to eradicate feral deer, one of Australia’s worst pest animals in rural areas. The feral deer eradication plan focuses on ridding the long-term impact of the pest within ten years. Feral deer caused about $36 million (US$23 million) in losses for SA farmers last year by damaging crops, pastures, grapevines, fences, infrastructure, and spreading weeds. They also pose environmental and road safety concerns. Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven said (pdf) eradication would increase the profits of the state’s agriculture sector, which supports over 70,000 jobs, to $525 million. She said this could be achieved if everyone worked together through the plan’s coordinated control programs, mainly aerial culling....