A revision of the established ranges and new populations of 11 introduced ungulate species in New Zealand

Between 1993 and 1996, Department of Conservation (DOC) Conservancies, local authorities, and informal sources were surveyed about liberations, escapes, and new populations of 11 introduced ungulate species in New Zealand. Conservancy staff mapped the established ranges of each species, to which were added the point locations of new populations. Of 258 new population records, >70% involved the three most commonly farmed species (red deer, feral goats, and fallow deer) and nearly half were in the three northernmost conservancies (Northland, Auckland, Waikato). Most new populations resulted from farm escapes (38%) and illegal liberations (26%), with natural dispersal contributing to relatively few new populations (5%). Almost half of the new populations involved a propagule of < 10 animals, but 10 populations established from > 100 animals. The present established ranges are more widespread than previously documented and, with the exception of Himalayan tahr, are still being extended. Bovine tuberculosis was identified in five of the 15 new populations checked for the disease.