Oh deer, young buck at home in the ‘burbs

PHOTOGRAPHIC evidence confirming the threat posed to Hobart motorists by wild deer —— now pushing closer to the CBD — is further proof that urban control of the species might soon be impossible, a wildlife biologist has warned.

Nick Mooney, after viewing evidence captured by a local resident on Nelson Rd, Mt Nelson, on Wednesday, said the male deer was almost a year old, weighing up to 50kg.

“We are getting close to the tipping point where urban control might not be possible,’’ said Mr Mooney, a former state government wildlife biologist with 30 years’ experience.

“I’m not surprised and absolutely they are on the increase.

“Now I see them in places that I have never seen them before.’’

Residents south of Hobart have this year reported wild deer in the Kingston and Mt Nelson areas, however this week’s photo is evidence the species is in suburban streets.

Mr Mooney said the history of deer in other parts of the world showed that once they were accustomed to people they became common in suburban backyards.

“You’ve then got a situation where one person is feeding them and the neighbour is trying to get rid of them,’’ he said.

“In and around the urban areas it’s very difficult to deal with them.’’

Mr Mooney said the past policy dealing with deer had been a failure, adding landowners in rural and regional areas should have the power to control the population provided they abided by animal welfare and firearm laws.

A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment spokeswoman said the “at large” fallow deer was reported to Game Services Tasmania.

“`Today, officers of Game Services Tasmania and Biosecurity Tasmania, with the assistance of officers of Hobart City Council, captured the deer and removed it to a deer farm,’’ the DPIPWE spokeswoman said.

“Game Services Tasmania will continue to work with stakeholders in developing active management strategies and monitoring for wild fallow deer in satellite locations.’’

Kingborough Council mayor Steve Wass said he was concerned about deer becoming entrenched in the suburbs, citing potential traffic safety, environmental and illegal hunting problems.

“It is a concern on a number of fronts,’’ Cr Wass said. “Are you going to have hunters out there shooting at them?’’

Cr Wass said he had heard of “a couple of instances’’ of deer in the Kingborough region.

“I guess the first response is ‘where are they coming from’ and, from the State Government’s perspective, ‘ what’s the state’s intention’?

“How long have they been there, where are they coming from and what should we be doing?’’

The photographer of the deer in Mt Nelson declined to comment to the Mercury but verified the image.

It is understood the deer was not immediately frightened and stood on the road for some time.