Plan to wipe out wild deer unveiled

A new $400,000 strategy to wipe out all wild deer in Northland and reduce escapes from farms has been unveiled.

The Department of Conservation, the Northland Regional Council and the Animal Health Board have released a revised strategy following a winning formula started in 1997.

The strategy will cost about $100,000 a year for the next four years.

It aims to prevent establishment of wild populations of deer and to increase rural community awareness of the tuberculosis risks and environmental consequences of wild deer re-establishing in Northland.

"If left unchecked, wild deer populations will increase and damage Northland's unique and precious native habitats," DoC Whangarei area manager John Gardiner said.