Environmental and First Nations organisations have today written to UNESCO, the United Nations body responsible for World Heritage sites, seeking intervention on the growing impacts of feral deer in and around the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).
Environmental and First Nations organisations have today written to UNESCO, the United Nations body responsible for World Heritage sites, seeking intervention on the growing impacts of feral deer in and around the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).
The Invasive Species Council, the Wilderness Society Tasmania, the Tasmanian National Parks Association, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Bob Brown Foundation are asking UNESCO to ensure that the state and federal governments are investing sufficient resources to remove invasive deer and prevent re-incursions in the World Heritage Area, and provide an update to the UN body on management effectiveness.
Dr Tiana Pirtle, Tasmanian conservation officer for the Invasive Species Council said:
‘Feral deer are becoming a major issue here in Tasmania. They overgraze, overbrowse, and trample native vegetation. They cause erosion and degrade water quality. They compete with our native herbivores.
‘Of great concern is the 19-fold increase in deer activity in the areas of the Central Plateau that were burnt in the 2019 fires. This continued browsing pressure could potentially prevent the regrowth of trees in a landscape that is already poorly fire adapted.
‘There are estimated to be 300 deer in the Walls of Jerusalem of the World Heritage Area, possibly more. The upcoming aerial cull in the Walls of Jerusalem is a vital step forward. However, there is a risk that without dedicated funding and commitment, deer will continue to invade the area from surrounding regions.
‘We implore UNESCO to remind the Australian and Tasmanian governments of their obligations and prioritise deer removal within the TWWHA and controlling the deer populations in the adjoining areas.’
Nicholas Sawyer, President of the Tasmanian National Parks Association said:
‘The TWWHA is already facing record droughts and increased fire frequency and severity, which are predicted to worsen into the future. Additional pressure from invasive deer populations can only worsen the situation.
‘The TNPA welcomes the proposed attempt to eradicate deer from the TWWHA but is concerned that it will need to be repeated at regular intervals until there is effective control of feral deer in the rest of Tasmania to prevent reinvasion of the TWWHA.’
Christine Milne, Ambassador for the Bob Brown Foundation and Invasive Species Council said:
‘Failing to take action on feral deer in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is like governments turning a blind eye to the issue of Crown of Thorn starfish on the Great Barrier Reef.
‘We need Environment Minister Plibersek to step up and prioritise funding for this in the upcoming federal budget and for the Tasmanian government to overturn the protected status of feral deer.
‘Whilst funding is important, the effort to eradicate feral deer from the TWWHA is hamstrung by the Tasmanian Government’s refusal to remove partial protection of this feral species. We call on UNESCO to emphasise that invasive species undermine the outstanding universal values of the TWWHA and must be eradicated.’
Background notes for editors:
Feral deer in Tasmania have been increasing in numbers and distribution at an alarming rate, with the population likely approaching 100,000 and covering 27% of the State. At a rate of growth of 11.5%, the population will likely exceed 1 million and cover more than half the state within 30 years. The greatest number of deer are in the Midlands, east of the TWWHA.
The Commonwealth has committed $440,000 to support a 3-year aerial cull trial in the Walls of Jerusalem that the Tasmanian Government, which commenced on 1 May. This aerial cull will likely make a significant impact on the population in the TWWHA. However, it is vital that operations are supported until deer are eradicated from the TWWHA, even if that is not achieved within the 3 years of the trial.
Of greater concern is the fact that deer remain protected in the adjoining regions east of the TWWHA. This protected status inhibits their effective control. Without significant intervention, this population will form a contiguous wall of deer on the eastern border of the TWWHA and pose an ongoing threat of reinvasion should eradication be successful.
