Modern Environmental Vandalism

Image via WikipediaIn the short time that Europeans have been coming to Australia, they have been unleashing a never ending series of feral animals on the native landscape.

Animals such as cane toads, foxes, rabbits; weeds such as salvation jane, thistle and blackberry have been introduced, all of which have significant environmental and financial impacts on the Australian landscape.

It seems that we cannot learn from the mistakes of the past

Feral deer in South Australia are an ever increasing problem that continues to have an impact on native flora and fauna.

Image via WikipediaDeer have been found in the Waite and Brown Hills Creek Reserves as well as the South East of SA.

Red and Fallow deer species are the most prevalent although 6 species of deer are found in lesser numbers.  Most of the deer are descended from animals that have escaped from commercial herds.

Biosecurity SA state:  "Deer in large numbers threaten environmental and agricultural values and public safety."

Deer pose a number of problems to the Australian native flora and fauna.  Deer graze or browse native vegetation and grasses and kill young trees through constant rubbing with their antlers, especially during the rut.

These deer also trample the mounds of the Malleefowl, a species listed as vulnerable.

Despite increasing education and the profile that environmental issues have in Australia, the lessons of the past regarding the impact that introduced species can have on the native habitat continue to be ignored.

Those who believe that deer are "cute and should be left alone" are perpetrating the worst kind of modern environmental vandalism.