October 23, 2014
Biosecurity Queensland is working with Gympie Regional Council to conduct surveys of feral deer populations using thermal imagery.
The first round of surveys were conducted earlier this year across four locations in the Gympie Regional Council area.
The most widespread feral deer species in Gympie shire is the red deer, although there are also chital, rusa and fallow deer.
Feral deer cause concern to the plantation forest industry because they damage young trees and seedlings.
Biosecurity Queensland believes using thermal imagery could greatly increase the detectability of deer, especially in timbered areas, increasing the accuracy of population surveys.
Future surveys will be conducted with the co-operation of other partners including HQ Plantations, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Powerlink, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and local landholders.
The surveys will be conducted bi-annually for two years.
