A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN environmental initiative is underway in Kouaoua, New Caledonia, aimed at mitigating the ecological damage caused by invasive deer populations.
By integrating traditional customary authority with modern conservation techniques, local leaders and international partners successfully culled over 1000 deer last year, across 3000 hectares by the forest edge, including the La Vallée drinking water catchment area.
The programme focused heavily on professionalising local hunters through specialised training, which covered weapon handling, optics, GPS navigation, radio communication, survival skills, emergency preparedness, and the introduction of thermal imaging and digital data collection.
This collaborative approach ensured social acceptance and cultural alignment, fostering a sense of local ownership over land management.
Ultimately, the project demonstrates how combining indigenous leadership with technical resources can effectively restore biodiversity and safeguard essential natural resources.
The initiative was part of the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and funded by the Kiwa Initiative and the French Facility for Global Environment, in collaboration with local authorities, including co-funding from Agence Rurale for the invasive deer control component.
“A key early challenge was securing broad community support and obtaining customary validation for deer and pig control activities. This was essential for ensuring long-term sustainability,” PEBACC+ Project Coordinator, SPREP François Tron said.
“Invasive species management requires skilled and trusted local actors. Building on the PROTEGE project, we identified, selected, and began training 12 local hunters from across the three tribes.
“These individuals were chosen for their hunting experience and their commitment to sustainable practices and community values.”
Community members expressed appreciation for the technical skills being passed on to the younger generation of hunters, and for the project’s alignment with customary values and environmental responsibilities.
“The main motivation is preserving our resources,” several local regulators explained during field operations. Years of unchecked invasive deer proliferation have left visible scars: hillsides stripped of vegetation, soil washed into rivers, and sediment and algae accumulating in waterways,” Tron said.
“Young shoots are devoured before forests can regenerate, accelerating erosion and threatening drinking water quality.”
He added that 17 regulatory missions were carried out between April and December 2025, with each hunter spending around 80 days in the field.
“This resulted in more than 1000 deer being culled and announced publicly at a community gathering, reinforcing transparency and collective accountability,” Tron said.
“The involvement of elders and customary officials throughout the process ensured that the project respected traditional authority and strengthened community ownership,” he said.
“With PEBACC+ culling campaign now over, we are looking at data to discuss its effectiveness; this will contribute to up-scaling prospects.”