Doe found wandering on Moreton Island 40km from mainland

State environmental authorities are investigating how a deer found itself on Moreton Island off Brisbane.

Brisbane City Council is trying to figure out just how a deer ended up on Moreton Island. Photo: Brisbane City Council

State environmental authorities are investigating how a deer found itself on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island.)

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner shared pictures of the doe saying council received a report it was roaming freely on the island approximately 40km from the mainland.

Mr Schrinner said Council officers will be in touch with State environmental officials and an investigation will look into how the deer got there.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said they were aware of the recent deer sighting on the island.

“At this stage there is no direct evidence to indicate how the deer came to be on the island,” they said.

“The department is investigating.”

The mayor dispelled any festive speculation about how the doe made it to Mulgumpin.

“At this stage, there’s no evidence the deer is in the company of a jolly bearded fellow bedecked in red,” he wrote on Instagram.

“There’s also nothing to suggest the deer got to the island via a flying sleigh, but we will see …”

Despite its cute appearance, feral deer can damage native and cultivated vegetation and pose a hazard to vehicles and humans.

In Queensland it is the responsibility of the relevant land manager or owner to manage the impacts of feral red deer on their land.