Victoria is the only mainland state that classifies deer as protected game rather than a feral pest, despite expert advice recommending otherwise. Deer are among Victoria’s most damaging invasive species, destroying native plants, trampling habitats, polluting waterways, spreading weeds and preventing natural regeneration. They're rapidly expanding across national and state parks, forests and increasingly in urban areas. This spread is causing widespread damage to nature and is also creating growing safety risks for communities, road users, and public spaces.