Feral Animals of the Northern Territory
Rusa Deer
Family: Cervidae
Scientific names: Cervus timorensis
Other common names: Rusa, Timor deer
Background
Eighteen deer species were introduced to Australia in the 1800’s. Of these, six species including the rusa deer, formed viable wild populations and are still present in New South Wales, Torres Strait and the Northern Territory. Within the Northern Territory, rusa deer are currently located on Groote Eylandt and other smaller islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Feeding
Rusa deer will eat almost any vegetation including grasses, herbs and aquatic plants such as certain seaweeds.Breeding
Rusa deer reach sexual maturity at about 18 months. An adult female will produce on average one fawn per year. Outside of the breeding season males form groups away from females and their young.
Impacts
Introduced deer are thought to negatively impact native vegetation as a result of overgrazing, browsing, trampling, ring-barking, and dispersing weeds. Other potential impacts include erosion of waterways and decreased water quality. However, very little is known about the specific impacts of rusa deer within Australia. In other locations rusa deer are known to compete with native species, with likely negative impacts on native species in these areas.
