'If Sambar deer on Table Mountain are listed as invasive, SANParks MUST act' - Brian van Wilgen, Stellenbosch University
Sambar deer on Table Mountain are being culled.
A female Sambar deer. Wikimedia Commons/Charles J. Sharp
CapeTalk’s John Maytham speaks with Brian van Wilgen of Stellenbosch University.
Listen below:
Sambar deer are not native to South Africa, but a few roam freely on Table Mountain.
These deer have been culled as part of SANparks operations as they have been listed as an invasive species, legally compelling them to control the population.
Some have raised the alarm about this practice, saying that more research must be done before these animals are randomly culled.
Van Wilgen says we do not know for sure what impact the deer have in South Africa, but they are harmful in other parts of the world.
“They have a negative impact on the native biodiversity of plants... they impact the water quality from catchments, and there is a risk that they might transfer diseases.”
- Brian van Wilgen, Stellenbosch University
RELATED: Culling of Sambar deer on Table Mountain needs to stop until proper studies done - researcher
He adds that there were no large antelope in this area before the Sambar deer were brought here which could upset the ecosystem.
He argues the best idea at this stage is to remove the deer by culling or capturing and relocating them, after doing a feasibility study.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview for more.