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Sambar deer numbers must be reduced: IngramIndependent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, to address the escalation of Sambar deer population in the National Parks. By Craig Ingram - 18th April 2006 - Back to News Speaking in Parliament, Mr Ingram said the State Government must put control measures in place to reduce Sambar deer numbers, which are causing significant environmental problems.
"In many areas, Sambar deer have stripped riparian vegetation so there is nothing at all up to two metres from the ground," Mr Ingram said.
"Shooters are not allowed into some of our National Parks, which means that this hard-hoofed animal can run rampant and cause an incredible amount of damage, but there are no control measures in place.
"Sambar deer are also becoming a problem on our roads and I personally have had some near misses in the past 12 months travelling throughout the electorate.
"On a recent visit to Dargo, locals said they are very concerned about the impact of these pests."
Mr Ingram also told Parliament that guidelines within the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) must be changed to allow landowners to shoot Sambar deer, which invade their property.
"A recent example is a farmer in our area who shot a Sambar deer that had trespassed on his land, broken the fence and eaten his grass," he said.
"He shot it without a permit, so DSE fined him -- this is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Minister.
"When Sambar deer are in National Parks they are feral and pest animals and should be dealt with as such.
"The Government must open up National Parks -- like the Snowy River National Park – for limited periods so that sporting shooters can reduce the number of Sambar deer.
"Like many pest animals, they do incredible damage to our National Parks and this problem must be addressed to ensure that the value of those National Parks and pristine areas are protected for future generations," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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