Description: The project aimed to manage the long-term deer population effectively. Consulting locals and employing helicopter interventions, previously proven successful, facilitated a significant reduction in invasive deer within a regulated 4,000-hectare zone. This initiative not only achieved its immediate goal but also enhanced New Caledonia’s capacity for employing such control measures. The project focused on diverse aspects, including consultations with partners and tribes, meticulous operational planning, scaling down deer numbers, reinforcing skill sets, training in blind hunting, and conducting local awareness campaigns. Additionally, the initiative successfully trained eight hunting agents. Efforts extended beyond the Reserve’s borders to adjacent areas, aligning with the management plan and ensuring effective deer regulation. Recommendations highlighted the need for improved note-taking methods to prevent counting biases and emphasized professional development for officers, particularly in refining culling techniques, dog handling, and maintenance, thus contributing to a more environmentally sustainable approach.
Duration: 12 months
