A joint safety campaign on rutting deer has been launched after a man was attacked in Richmond Park in August.
Deer rutting is the process that occurs every autumn where male deer compete aggressively for female mates
The Royal Parks, RSPCA, and British Deer Society are working together to provide guidance and information to park visitors following an attack in August which saw a stag approach a man’s picnic, resulting in the deer being put down for fear of future danger to visitors.
This coincided with a social media trend during the summer where numerous videos of visitors approaching and feeding the deer circulated online.
Kate Allberry, scientific and policy manager at the RSPCA, warned: “Feeding or approaching deer can affect this natural behaviour, not only risking causing them stress, but it can also cause them to become less wary of people and associate us with food.
“This can put both deer and people at greater risk, and in some cases, can have tragic consequences for animals.”
The campaign’s aim is to educate and warn visitors of Richmond Park and Bushy Park about the dangers deer pose during the rutting season, which runs from September to November.
The stags can be impressive to witness – they can weigh up to 150kg and run up to speeds of 40mph.
But with raised testosterone levels caused by rutting season, they can be violent, intolerant, and unpredictable.
Visitors are advised to maintain at least 50 metres from deer, to never feed or approach them and follow signs and instructions from Royal Parks staff and Volunteer Rangers.
Paul Richards, Richmond Park manager at The Royal Parks, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the spectacle and privilege of seeing the deer during the rut.
“But they are wild animals and can become aggressive and unpredictable during this season.
“The safest way to enjoy deer is always to observe them from a distance, keep dogs on leads or walk them elsewhere during the rut and never feed them. The message is clear: stay safe during the rut; ‘steer clear of deer’.”
The campaign is focused on protecting the deer as much as the visitors.
Charles Smith-Jones, technical adviser to the British Deer Society, said: “Getting too close to rutting animals may not only put people at risk but can also disrupt or even halt natural behaviour at a time that is crucial to the deer’s reproductive cycle and well-being.
“We would always encourage people to enjoy these remarkable animals from a distance and give them the space they need to behave naturally.”
Experts from the British Deer Society, alongside The Royal Parks volunteer rangers, will have an engagement stand in Richmond Park on 11 October to speak with visitors about deer behaviour during the autumn rut and how people can safely enjoy the park alongside them.
Featured image credit: The Royal Parks
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