Mar 2, 2026
In early February, Dunedin became a hive of activity for the global deer community as the International Deer Biology Congress returned to New Zealand. Co-hosted by Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) and the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), the congress brought together researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders for a week of exchange grounded in deer biology and its real-world applications.
There was a strong sense of history woven through the programme. The congress marked a return to New Zealand for the first time since the original event was held in Dunedin in 1983. More than four decades on, delegates gathered again in the city where it all began, reflecting on how far deer science—and the ways people interact with deer—had evolved. Advances in technology, changing environmental expectations, and shifting social and economic pressures and priorities all featured prominently, underscoring how different the landscape now looks from those early days.
What stood out most was the breadth of the audience. Attendees represented a wide and diverse range of interests across all species of deer and the many contexts in which they are found. From farmed and wild systems to conservation, health, welfare, genetics, ecology, management, and policy, the congress drew together people working at every point along the deer spectrum. Scientists, veterinarians, land managers, producers, and industry stakeholders shared ideas, challenged assumptions, and built connections that extended well beyond New Zealand.
“The congress was a great success, bringing together scientists and deer practitioners representing five continents,” says Bioeconomy Science Institute scientist Bryan Thompson. “A relaxed and social atmosphere throughout encouraged the sharing of ideas, experiences, and a shared passion for all things deer. The timing of the congress was particularly relevant, with many discussions focused on managing growing wild deer populations while balancing the ecological, cultural, and societal values they provide.
“The plenary speech delivered by Cam Speedy, “The value and consequence of your deer here – A cultural paradox,” resonated strongly with delegates facing similar challenges associated with increasing deer numbers around the world.
“As a deer farming scientist, I found many of the topics highly relevant to farmed deer systems,” Thompson adds. “Insights into how deer visually perceive their environment, for example, could help inform the design of improved handling facilities that allow animals to move more calmly and efficiently through yards. Research on limb regeneration using antler stem cells also highlighted the remarkable biological potential and unique value of deer products.
“Discussions around rising deer populations, while primarily framed as conservation and social challenges, are equally relevant to farmers due to biosecurity risks and potential market implications. Engaging in these conversations is essential for maintaining the strength and reputation of our industry.”
Across the week, keynote addresses from leading experts were interwoven with rapid-fire presentations, keeping ideas moving and conversations flowing. The learning didn’t stop at the lecture theatre, with field trips spanning a deer farm, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, a processing plant, and Invermay Research, Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly AgResearch).
While these addresses, presentations, and field trips provided clear and structured opportunities for learning, just as fascinating were the off-the-ball conversations that unfolded between sessions. In these less defined spaces, knowledge was exchanged just as freely and often on curious tangents; one minute, you could be discussing the very beginnings of deer farming in Latvia, and the next, you were listening in on a conversation about polar bear management in Canada.
By the end of the week, the congress had done more than revisit its origins. It reaffirmed the value of bringing a diverse deer community together, using science as the common language to explore shared challenges and future opportunities.
