For fifty years, Rob Endersby poured his heart and soul into his Victorian daffodil farm, a vibrant tapestry of colour and a testament to a lifetime of toil.
It was his legacy, his retirement, his very identity.
Then, the silent invasion began.
Relentless herds of feral deer, like a plague, systematically devoured everything he had built. They trampled crops, ripped bulbs from the soil, and with every hoofprint, they slowly, mercilessly, wiped out his income.
Rob watched, helpless, as his dream withered and died.
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Rob Endersby says he was forced to sell after his farm was destroyed by pests. Source: A Current Affair
With no effective defence, he was left with an unbearable choice: sell the land that held five decades of his life.
Rob’s devastating experience is not an isolated incident.
The Invasive Species Council reports that feral deer numbers have surged to nearly a million nationally, rapidly transforming from a perceived novelty into a serious pest. This burgeoning population is now directly impacting property owners, from vast agricultural holdings to suburban backyards, raising significant concerns for the real estate market.
Herds of feral deer gradually overran Rob Endersby’s farm, trampling crops, ripping bulbs from the soil, and subsequently wiping out his income. Source: A Current Affair
In South Australia alone, an estimated 9500 feral deer are currently causing extensive damage across the Greater Adelaide region, including the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. Beyond creating serious hazards for motorists, these animals are destroying parks and gardens, contributing to significant erosion, and consequently diminishing property amenity and value.
In other part of the country, including Victoria, deer have been caught entering homes and smashing pool fencing.
“They left us with nothing”: The real cost to property owners
For Rob Endersby, 50 years of dedicated planting and hard labour were undone by the relentless invasion.
“(There is) a certain amount of sadness with that,” he told A Current Affair.
“You’d come the next day, and you’d think someone had been there with a fork or a shovel.
“You’re reminding yourself of all the work you put in…and the deer just eat (the) profits. They left us with nothing, really.
“They’re a huge problem, much bigger than most people think.”
The Invasive Species Council reports that feral deer numbers have surged to nearly a million nationally, with many found entering homes and destroying property. Source: A Current Affair
Victoria’s unique dilemma
While deer are a significant problem across virtually every Australian state and are declared pests in most jurisdictions – akin to foxes, rabbits, and cane toads – Victoria presents a peculiar challenge for property owners.
Deer were originally introduced by Europeans for game hunting and to evoke a sense of familiarity with the landscape.
However, in Victoria, this historical context has led to their continued protection as a hunting resource.
Critics argue this policy is directly contributing to the drastic expansion of deer populations, allowing them to spread into new regions and exacerbating the impact on property owners and their investments.
A Victorian homeowner captured the moment a deer smashed through his glass pool fence. Source: A Current Affair
Jack Gough, CEO of the Invasive Species Council, emphasised the urgency of the situation to Yahoo News, stating that effective action “matters most” now to protect land and assets. Gough advocates for stronger control measures, including expanded baiting and aerial control programs.
“The only way to get on top of these species is by using a combination of baiting and aerial control,” he said.
In recent years, sightings in Melbourne’s outer suburbs have become increasingly common, with deer entering homes and backyards, causing both property damage and alarm among residents.
A deer lurking in the hallway of a home. Source: A Current Affair
The direct threat to urban residential property values and safety is a growing concern for homeowners.
The Victorian government reports spending $27 million on deer control since 2020.
Yet, based on the experiences of property owners like Rob Endersby, serious questions remain about the efficacy of the current strategy and its ability to protect valuable real estate assets and the livelihoods tied to them.
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