Camden Council to shoot wild deer near Harington Forest to cull population

Southwest Sydney residents have hit out over a plan to see wild deer hunted and killed in the dead of night as part of a council action to reduce feral deer.

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

Southwest Sydney residents have hit out over a plan to see feral deer in local nature reserves hunted and killed in the dead of night as part of a council action to reduce feral deer numbers.

It comes as homeowners filmed deer running rampant in residential neighbourhoods.

Camden Council revealed plans for hired contractors to shoot a ‘small population’ of feral deer found in the Harrington Park area from 7pm-5am over a fortnight, starting this week to cull the population.

Lenka Vranova Jakimos is a resident who has lived across from Harrington reserve for over a decade, regarding the local deer population as a rare and ‘magical’ sight she gets to enjoy with her family.

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

She was shocked and heartbroken when she received the council’s notification which she describes as a “rushed and lazy method” to handle the feral deer.

“These animals are a large part of our community … they’re not something you see everyday but when you do it’s a real treat and makes you feel like you’re living in such a beautiful area.”

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

Ms. Vranova Jakimos is a full-time mother who has spent her spare time trying to prevent the Council from going ahead with the culling operation or to at least gain some more information about the estimated number of deer and evidence of their negative impact on the environment.

“As humans we cause much more damage than any of these animals have done in the past 12 years that I’ve been here,” she said.

“People have put up tents, littered, and driven motorbikes all through the reserve with council taking little to no action on them, but when it comes to these animals they act on it straight away.”

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

Lenka has rallied the support of a number of other locals through facebook to protest the council’s action but has said she has felt largely unheard and dismissed in her interactions with council.

“Where is the information and statistics? If you’re going to be culling animals in an area … where they’ve become part of the community, at least give people an explanation,” she said.

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst called Camden Council’s decision a knee-jerk reaction that will result in a ‘bloodbath’, calling for them to consider alternative methods.

“There are always nonlethal options, but for unknown reasons they are rarely considered. Immunocontraceptives are used overseas effectively on deer and have proven to also be far more humane,” Emma Hurst said.

“Fawns are often born around November and December, so very young deer will still be with their mothers while this planned shooting spree will take place.”

Ms. Hurst also said that shooting the deer is only a ‘Band-Aid solution’ and it’s often found that even after a large population is culled, the numbers return a few years later.

Deer sighted by residents in Harrington Park area. Picture: Facebook

Some residents however consider the council’s action as ‘necessary’ to address the ‘alarming rate’ the deer population is expanding at.

“They are a feral animal to Australia, with no natural predators,” said Gavin Swain, local resident.

“It’s sad that it has to be done, but I understand why,” he said.

Another resident who doesn’t wish to be named, said “the deer cull should have been done years ago” and are applauding the council for doing the right thing.

“The residents have become fond of the deer and like that they get to see them but the reality is they aren’t good for the environment and have to go.”

A Camden Council spokesman has said approximately 30 deer have been identified in Harrington Forest which have the ability to increase their population by up to 50 per cent a year.

They have advised that the action is part of a larger ‘management program’ being coordinated across the Macarthur area by Local Land Services.

“Council takes its biosecurity responsibilities seriously, and views this activity as an ongoing part of responsible land management,” a spokesman for Camden Council said.

“This work is standard for Camden Council, as with many other councils across the state, and is something we have undertaken successfully in the past.”

Camden Council’s last culling in John Oxley Reserve took place less than two years ago in May 2022.

“There is no regular schedule for culling. Council is currently working with Local Land Services as part of a coordinated program,” the Council spokesman said.

Greater Sydney Local Land Services did not provide comment regarding the program but advised that local councils manage these operations as the landowners.