When will the survey be performed?
The survey is scheduled to occur between 1-14 October 2024 – these dates may be subject to change in response to weather, as the safety of all those in the helicopter is the number one priority.
Who is conducting the aerial survey?
The consultants used for the 2024 survey are the same as in 2019 – this will ensure the methodology is consistent and the results are comparable.
What can I expect to see?
The survey is performed by a helicopter flown along transects spaced 10 km apart, at a height of 61 m (200 feet), at a speed of 50 knots (92 km/h). Each transect is flown once, so there will only be a single pass over any property. Surveys will be conducted within four hours following first light, and three hours prior to last light, subject to flying conditions and animal activity.
Will the survey involve shooting/culling?
Definitely not – the survey is a counting exercise only.
Where will the helicopter fly?
The risk assessment process identifies sensitive land uses such as dwellings and infrastructure including transmission poles and wires and wind farms, environmental values such as wedge-tailed eagle nests and known horse studs. This information is then used to adjust flight paths where practical.
Minor deviations can and will be made during each flight in response to new hazards and where unsafe animal behaviour is observed.
Do I need to move livestock?
The consultant has decades of experience conducting low altitude aerial surveys across the calendar year, across all landscapes and land uses. Impacts on livestock such as sheep including maiden ewes with lambs is considered highly unlikely.
Why do you need to survey wild Fallow deer and Forester kangaroo?
In response to the Legislative Council Inquiry into Wild Fallow Deer, the Government committed to undertake an initial baseline aerial survey of the deer population in 2019. The Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan 2022-2027 (the Plan) committed to a
follow-up aerial survey, recognising that effective deer management requires an understanding of how a population changes over time.
What information will the survey produce?
The 2024 survey will produce an estimate of the total population and will model species distribution and abundance – this information can then be compared to the 2019 findings. Changes in distribution and abundance can then be considered in relation to deer policy such as licensing and permits to measure the effectiveness of deer management.
Will wild Fallow deer be deregulated in Tasmania?
No, wild fallow deer remain partly protected under the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010. Furthermore, the Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan 2022-2027 established three deer management zones, including Zone 1 Sustainable Hunting, that defines the traditional deer zone where deer are an accepted part of the landscape.
Why does the survey include Forester kangaroo – isn’t the survey about deer?
Forester kangaroo numbers are assessed every few years via walked transect surveys. The 2019 aerial survey included Forester kangaroo and proved to be an effective and efficient means of estimating the population – this method is used frequently on the mainland.
Data from both survey methodologies will be used to inform sustainable management of the species, in particular how many can be taken and from where.
Why does the survey not include Bennett’s wallaby and Pademelon?
The survey uses a combination of human observers, thermal cameras and artificial intelligence to detect and identify animals. Using these technologies, Forester kangaroo are readily identified along with deer due to the size and shape, however smaller animals such as Bennett’s wallaby and Pademelon can be more difficult to distinguish, meaning the data is less accurate and therefore not captured.
What methods will be used to estimate deer numbers?
Information collected during the aerial survey will be analysed using a technique called Distance Sampling. This method is widely used internationally for the estimation of wildlife populations, including northern hemisphere deer populations; hoofed animal populations in Europe, America and Africa; kangaroos, camels and wild horses in Australia; and whale populations worldwide.
When will the results of the aerial survey be released?
It is anticipated that the results of the survey will be publicly available in April 2025. Whilst the survey period is short, the processing and analysis of data is complex. Following this will be report writing and review prior to approval to release.
Will any areas of public land be closed during the survey?
No. There will be no closures of any sort during the survey.
How do I provide feedback on the survey based on my observations and experience?
A feedback form is available. Game Services Tasmania staff will continually monitor and review all feedback throughout the survey and the week following last flight. To assist us to rely with a timely and quality response, please provide as much relevant information as possible.