Unpublished report warns feral deer could become Australia’s next feral pig problem

An unpublished government report on feral deer shows Australia is failing to halt the species’ spread, and The Guardian reported it could become “Australia’s next feral pig”. The assessment covered the five years from 2020 to 2025 under the national feral deer action plan and found the elusive animal has increased in both numbers and range. The report says the growing population is costing farmers millions of dollars. Deer are now moving into major cities, leading to more frequent human encounters. One incident described by the paper involved two men who were fined after becoming lost in the bush when they were spooked by deer while nude sunbathing. Officials have not released the full findings, but the warning highlights concerns that the deer problem may soon mirror the damage caused by feral pigs.

Why it matters

The expanding deer population threatens agricultural productivity and urban safety, prompting calls for stronger management measures.

Key details

Location

Australia · Oceania

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

30 Oct 2026, 09:00 IST

Section

Environment

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianFeral deer will become Australia’s next feral pig problem without prompt action, report warns 30 Oct, 09:00

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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