NEW ZEALAND NEWS: Illegal Deer Introduction Threatens Park

The Department of Conservation says the re-introduction of deer into Egmont National Park is deliberate and could pollute local water supplies and damage forest regeneration.

Deer have been banned from the park since the turn of the century.

DOC's Stratford Area Manager Robert Bennett says it is believed about three deer were dropped into the park deliberately, perhaps by recreational hunters.

But he says the deer is a pest, like the possum, and anyone who is found to have released it could face prosecution.

Mr Bennett says a team of hunters looking for the deer will shoot them before they have a chance to become more widespread.