Richmond Park Stag Injures Man, Is Shot as Officials Renew 50m Deer Warning
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Richmond Park Stag Injures Man, Is Shot as Officials Renew 50m Deer Warning
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Summary
A man in his 60s suffered chest injuries on Saturday after a stag approached his picnic group in Richmond Park; a Royal Parks wildlife officer then shot the animal as a danger to visitors.
Park manager Paul Richards said the stag's behavior was likely caused by visitors feeding it, which made it associate people with food and approach groups unnaturally.
Royal Parks again told visitors to stay at least 50m from deer in Richmond and Bushy parks, never feed or touch them, and hide food and packaging if an animal comes closer.
Officials said the deer do not need extra food despite dry conditions, warning that feeding also risks plastic ingestion and stress to the animals.
Richmond Park's 630-strong herd of red and fallow deer has roamed there since 1637, but officials said the wild animals can turn aggressive quickly—stags can weigh 159kg and run up to 30mph.