Evaluating aerial net gunning and chemical immobilisation for capture of invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in alpine Australia

Eliane D. McCarthy; Jordan O. Hampton; Rob Hunt; Stuart Williams; Grant Eccles; Thomas M. Newsome

doi:10.1071/WR23028

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Evaluating aerial net gunning and chemical immobilisation for capture of invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in alpine Australia

Eliane D. McCarthy

^A ^* , Jordan O. Hampton

^B ^C , Rob Hunt ^D , Stuart Williams ^E , Grant Eccles ^D and Thomas M. Newsome

^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

^B Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.

^C Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.

^D New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville, NSW 2220, Australia.

^E Yass Veterinary Hospital, Yass, NSW, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: eliane.mccarthy@sydney.edu.au

Handling Editor: Tom Sullivan

Wildlife Research 51, WR23028 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR23028

Submitted: 9 March 2023 Accepted: 27 August 2023 Published: 15 September 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

Deer species are expanding in distribution and abundance in Australia. There is increasing focus on the ecology of these species, but effective deer capture methods are needed for telemetry studies.

Aims

The aims of this study were to develop, assess and refine a helicopter-based capture technique for wild sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), based on trials in south-eastern Australia.

Methods

We captured and collared 14 sambar deer and five red deer in two operations in Kosciuszko National Park in 2021, using a combination of aerial net gunning and chemical immobilisation delivered via hand injection. Captured animals were fitted with GPS collars to track their movements and activity post-capture. Physiological measurements were recorded as a means of assessing responses to capture and to optimise animal welfare outcomes.

Key results

Twenty-two deer were pursued and captured, with a total mortality rate of 14% (n = 3). The frequency of mortalities decreased from the first operation (17%) to the second operation (10%), largely attributed to allowable helicopter pursuit times being reduced. Post-release movement data indicated that delayed mortality due to capture did not occur. Activity of collared deer was lowest immediately following collaring, suggesting the procedure caused short-term decreases in deer activity.

Conclusions

Aerial capture of wild sambar deer and red deer poses animal welfare risks, but these can be minimised through the refinement in net gunning and pharmacological procedures to minimise animal stress.

Implications

This study describes an effective method for the safe capture of sambar deer and red deer, which will assist future wildlife researchers to further refine helicopter-based capture protocols and to collect spatial ecology and survival information about these species.

Keywords: animal welfare, collaring, immobilisation, invasive species, mortality, net gun, satellite telemetry, ungulates.

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