An aerial survey of feral deer. Photo: DPIRD.
DPIRD officers are due to start shooting feral deer from helicopters this week in the Esperance area.
A spokesperson said the aerial control would take place over Crown land and over a small number of private rural properties.
“There are known populations of red and fallow deer in the Esperance area,” she said. “DPIRD control operations will occur west of Esperance, largely on Crown land and a small number of private properties.
“DPIRD has been liaising closely with impacted landholders to plan control efforts.”
The spokesperson said feral deer populations in WA had the potential to grow quickly and were an emerging pest threat, impacting agricultural production, important environmental values and sensitive areas.
“WA is in a unique situation to control feral deer populations whilst populations are still relatively small and localised,” she said.
“Over the past two years, DPIRD has targeted agricultural and conservation areas surrounding Muchea, Esperance and Harvey, where there are known populations of feral deer, with aerial thermal surveys.
“After analysis, DPIRD estimates that the populations at the three sites are Esperance 660, Harvey 700 and Muchea 170.”
Landholders who see vertebrate pests, such as feral deer, on their property may report sightings using the FeralScan App or online at www.feralscan.org.au .
