The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning orchestrated the aerial shooting operation.

Over two weeks helicopters were used to target feral animals including deer and pigs that were negatively impacting fire affected parts of the National Park and Indigenous Protected Areas.

DELWP executive director of biodiversity James Todd said the aerial shooting operation would help to protect the cultural sites and give the environment a better chance at recovering from the 2019-20 bushfire that devastated parts of Budj Bim.

"We will continue to manage the threat of feral animals across the Budj Bim Cultural Heritage Landscape in partnership with Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria and other land managers in the area," he said.

Deer and pigs cause significant environmental damage through grazing, trampling, and forming wallows in drainage lines resulting in soil erosion and impacts to riparian vegetation and water quality.

More than 1100 target feral animals were removed from the area, most of which were fallow deer. The significant reduction in deer will reduce grazing pressure on native vegetation and aid Manna gums to successfully set seed and recruit.

The reduction in pig numbers will reduce risk to sensitive cultural heritage sites and benefit adjacent landholders where deer and pigs can impact agricultural productivity.

The aerial shooting operation was carried out under strict conditions designed to ensure it was safe, effective and humane, and in areas which were closed to the public.

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