Invasive species, from zebra mussels to fire ants, and feral pigs to Japanese honeysuckles, are becoming a real problem across the United States. These non-native species are costing Americans millions and threatening the nation’s vital ecosystems.
Experts say that while several species are certainly causing concern, an exotic species from India may be the most dangerous. They’re very cute, but something must be done before they completely take over.
Axis Deer Have Infiltrated the United States
In the 1930s, several private ranchers and controlled hunting sites imported axis deer from India, for their unique appearance and tender meat, to entice commercial game hunters.
However, before they could hunt them all, some axis deer managed to escape the compounds and quickly spread around the country.
Non-Native Species Are Quite Problematic
You may be surprised to learn that a deer species could be quite dangerous in the United States, as the nation is home to seven separate species of native deer that are generally considered harmless.
Axis deer are a problem, while other species of deer are not, precisely because they are not native to the continent. Like other invasive species, axis deer present several problems to an ecosystem’s natural function that native animals simply do not.
Why Are Axis Deer Dangerous?
Axis deer are especially problematic because, unlike the other deer species, they have a highly flexible diet. That means they can forage on a wider variety of plants across the many different ecosystems across the country.
Additionally, during times of drought, when much of a region’s flora dries and dies, other species of deer will go hungry, while axis deer can simply move along and eat whatever is still available.
Axis Deer Reproduce Faster Than Other Deer
As well as having a more adaptable diet, axis deer also reproduce faster than the native deer of North America. Most deer species only reproduce from September to November, with the majority of the breeding occurring in October. However, axis deer mate and reproduce all year long.
That means their populations can increase far more rapidly than those of other deer species, further threatening the native and necessary animals.
Why Are Deer Necessary to US Ecosystems?
Many people don’t realize that the native deer species in the US are actually necessary for the proper functioning of the nation’s many ecosystems.
Deer not only keep the natural vegetation in check but also spread seeds and provide food for necessary predators and scavengers. Their carcasses even provide the nutrients many plants need to survive.
Invasive Axis Deer Are Destroying Agriculture
The presence of axis deer drastically threatens the survival of the native deer species, which is dangerous in its own right. However, that’s not this invasive species’ only adverse side effect.
Axis deer have also been known to cause widespread agricultural destruction; they trample and eat crops and endanger the native plant species needed for nutrient-rich soil.
Solutions to the Axis Deer Problem
Several axis deer were imported to Hawaii in the 20th century, and have since become a real problem on the Big Island. In fact, the axis deer population is increasing by between 20% and 30% every year.
In response to this frustrating situation, Hawaiian officials have dedicated an entire team and advanced technology, including infrared radar and helicopter surveys, to remove all axis deer from the island.
Hunting Without Tags Is Now Allowed in Parts of Texas
In Texas, where axis deer escaped from the Big Thicket National Preserve, local authorities have even given hunters the go-ahead to shoot and kill the deer without special tags or fees.
While using the proper permits would certainly help track the invasive deer, at this point, officials simply want the deer gone as quickly as possible.
Hunting the Axis Deer Isn’t a Fool-Proof Plan
Encouraging hunters to target axis deer will undoubtedly help in the fight against the invasive species, but it’s not a long-term solution to the problem.
Experts agree that far more must be done to eradicate the dangerous species completely. Projects like the helicopter surveys in Hawaii are a good start and should likely be implemented across the continental US as well.
Invasive Species Could Be Contributing to Climate Change
As if these many negative side effects of axis deer weren’t enough, they are also contributing to climate change.
According to the Invasive Species Centre, “The spread of invasive species weakens ecosystems and makes them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” including drought, flooding, wildfires, and global warming.
Organizations Are Working Tirelessly in the Fight Against Invasive Species
While certain states like Texas and Hawaii are working to reduce their axis deer population, other national organizations, like the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), are spending millions on fighting all invasive species.
They hope that soon, they will not only be able to eliminate all invasive species across the country but also stop any new non-native animals from arriving. It’s a big task, but with the many threats these pesky pests pose, it’s very important that they are successful.
