Deer Control Program in Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park
November 2022 – June 2023
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Parks Victoria is responsible for conservation management to restore and protect park habitat, including the control of introduced plant and animal species. Following the 2019 bushfires affecting Bunyip State Park, Parks Victoria has observed large numbers of deer within the park. While over 500 deer were removed by professional contractors between July 2020 and December 2021, deer are still relatively abundant. This has also been confirmed by reports from the local community.
Control of deer is required within key areas of the park for the protection of waterway catchments along the Diamond and Cannibal Creeks, the Diamond Creek Reference Area and along the Bunyip River aqueduct. With the program’s extension to the north and east of previous control works, the impact of deer on threatened flora and communities will be further reduced across the park footprint.
Parks Victoria will be undertaking a controlled, safe and humane deer control operation targeting Fallow and Sambar Deer using ground shooting within Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park (see map of control areas attached). The program will:
- Reduce habitat structure damage and minimise browsing impacts on habitat regeneration following bushfire.
- Focus on movement corridors that aim to reduce the impact of deer grazing on surrounding private land.
The program will operate between the November 2022 and June 2023 using accredited and authorised ground shooting contractors. Safety is of utmost importance to Parks Victoria and the program will follow strict safety protocols. Signs will be displayed at all official entrance points to the control zones during the control operation.
Refer above for location map of area subject to deer control
Jack Dingreve | Area Chief Ranger |Gembrook