By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
NATIONAL Parks and nature reserves around the Dandenong Ranges will be closed to the public in the coming months as Parks Victoria conducts a controlled deer cull.
The program will take place in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and Warramate Nature Conservation Reserve.
Parks Victoria’s District Manager Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges District, Craig Bray said the culling program was necessary to protect native plants in these areas.
“Parks Victoria is conducting a deer control program targeting Fallow and Sambar Deer which are species that are having a negative impact on the native vegetation and biodiversity,” he said.
This year will see the deer management program take place for the third consecutive time since 2014.
“Deer control operations are supervised by Parks Victoria with accredited and authorised volunteer members of the Australian Deer Association and the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia,” Mr Bray said.
Hunters will be using two main techniques when hunting the deer through the parks.
Hunters are permitted to use the spotlighting method of hunting at night, where hunters use high-powered lights, spotlights, lamps or flashlights to ‘spot’ the deer in the dark.
This method uses the ‘eye shine’ from the deer to locate them and also the bright lights to freeze them and have more chance of a successful and clean kill.
Mr Bray said cull will continue until the negative impact the deer have on native vegetation is reduced but will be run during peak visitor times to the park such as weekends and public holidays.
“Safety is of utmost importance to Parks Victoria. The program is conducted under strict supervision following comprehensive safety procedures.”
While it is unclear what the population of deer are in and around the Dandenong Ranges, Parks Victoria are aiming to increase the number of deer culled in previous years.
“A total of 154 deer have been culled since the program commenced in 2014,” Mr Bray said.
“Parks Victoria has a renewed Authority to Control Wildlife Permit which permits up to 215 deer to be removed this year.”
Native endangered species such as the Leadbeater’s Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater are at risk of their habitats being destroyed by deer when they thrash their antlers against trees.
The aim of the cull is to reduce the impact of deer on the environment and the recovery of native plant species and improved habitat for native animals.
The deer control program has support from Zoos Victoria, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum.
