Parks Victoria is conducting a Deer Control Project in the Lakes National Park between 1 May to 30 June 2023.
Paid contractors, subject to weather conditions, will carry out the control program whilst the Park remains open.
The Lakes National Park is part of the Ramsar-listed Gippsland Lakes system, which holds a population of endangered Pookila mice. Previously we have explored the issues facing the Pookila and how there is a risk of the Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) wrongly being blamed for environmental changes and land management practices outside of its control. It is important to note that the Pookila and Hog Deer appear to have lived in harmony for over 100 years in Victoria.
Currently, the Lakes National Park is not a part of the annual hog deer ballot that covers Blond Bay, Boole Poole and Snake Island. This presents an ideal opportunity to extend the areas available to public land hunting to the Park. Ultimately, this will contribute to sustainable deer management and, if combined with addressing other key threatening processes relating to the Pookila, such as predator management, fire practices and habitat loss issues relating to degradation caused by weed invasion.
The Australian Deer Association has met with senior Park Victoria staff to express this point of view and looks forward to working together towards a solution that delivers outcomes for all stakeholders.
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