{"id":215794,"date":"2023-10-25T09:53:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T09:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestwnews.com\/?p=215794"},"modified":"2023-10-25T09:53:43","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T09:53:43","slug":"warning-to-parkgoers-getting-too-close-to-deer-during-mating-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestwnews.com\/world-news\/warning-to-parkgoers-getting-too-close-to-deer-during-mating-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning to parkgoers getting too close to deer during mating season"},"content":{"rendered":"
Members of the public have been spotted getting dangerously close to deer in London during a very dangerous time of year – the mating season.<\/p>\n
Footage taken at Bushy Park, southwest London, shows revellers just a few feet away from the animals, despite guidance from Royal Parks to keep 160ft (50m) away and ‘always be vigilant… especially during the rutting season’.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Runners, cyclists and dog-walkers were pictured within touching distance of the deer – which have been known to charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the rutting season in September-November, the animals – especially stags – can become hostile towards humans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is because they spend a lot of this period fighting rivals, causing them to become extremely agitated.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Members of the public have been spotted getting dangerously close to deer in London during a very dangerous time of the year – the mating season (pictured, deer in Bushy Park)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In footage from Bushy Park, southwest London, brazen parkgoers are seen just metres away from the deer despite a strict 50metre distance rule (pictured)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Visitors were pictured standing within touching distance of the deer who have been known to charge at their aggressors (pictured, a herd of deer in Bushy Park)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It is recommended to keep a safe distance of 50metres from the animals however it has become clear this rule is either unknown or being ignored<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Visitors to Bushy and Richmond Parks are told to stay 50metres away from deer, especially stags, during their mating season as they spend a lot of this period fighting rivals<\/p>\n
The photographer who captured the footage said that people who approach the deer are actually putting themselves in harm’s way.<\/p>\n
Visitors must remain at least 160ft (50m) away from deer at all times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Never touch, feed or photograph the animals at close range.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do not picnic or eat food in close proximity of the deer. If approached, cover food and close any bags, leave the food behind and move to a safe distance.\u00a0 Wait for the deer to move on before returning to the picnic spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Photographers must always remain 160ft (50m) away and use a long lens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dog owners are advised to avoid Bushy and Richmond Parks during mating season (September-November) and birthing season (May-July). This is because deer can feel threatened by dogs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the unlikely event you are threatened or charged by a deer, try and put a vehicle or substantial barrier (like a big tree) between you and the animal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you have a dog, let it off the lead as they have a better chance of escaping while unrestrained and may be the reason the deer is agitated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do not wave or shout at an approaching deer, instead back off slowly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Source: Royal Parks London\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Robert Piper, 67, watched on in disbelief as parkgoers put themselves at risk by approaching the elegant yet temperamental animals.<\/p>\n He said: ‘The red deer are wild animals – even though they are located in one of the Royal Parks, they can be quite unpredictable.<\/p>\n ‘The majority of the spectators in the videos were putting themselves in a high level of danger, as stags during the rutting [mating] season have been known to charge at spectators if they get too close to them.’<\/p>\n Mr Piper added: ‘In all of the videos, it is clear and obvious that the distance the spectators were from the animals was considerably less than 50metres.<\/p>\n ‘There are some individuals walking by just a few metres away from a stag.<\/p>\n ‘Quite often, a stag who may have just finished fighting is in a highly agitated and aggressive state – spectators may not realise this, and approaching them is a potential recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n ‘One gentleman appeared to be sitting quite nonchalantly as two stags were about to start fighting just a few metres away.<\/p>\n ‘The common theme in all of the videos was the extreme close proximity between the spectators and animals, especially at a time of the year when the stags are potentially at their most aggressive and dangerous.’<\/p>\n The photographer said he captured the video to highlight the potential risk and dangers that park-goers were putting themselves in.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘I hope these videos also help to raise awareness again about not getting too close to these animals and to keep a gap of at least 50metres,’ he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Herds of red and fallow deer have been grazing in the Royal Parks since the 1600s and have played a key role in shaping the landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During the rutting season in September-November, deer can become hostile towards people, especially stags, who have been known to charge at spectators<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A group of cyclists were forced to swerve around a deer after it decided to cross the road<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Parkgoers are advised to stay 50metres away from deer, especially during their mating season<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A group of tourists were seen taking photos of a deer at close range in Bushy Park<\/p>\n Visitors are required to remain 50metres away from deer at all times and never attempt to touch, feed or photograph the animals at close range.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dog owners are advised to avoid Bushy and Richmond parks during mating season (September-November) and birthing season (May-July).\u00a0<\/p>\n MailOnline has contacted Royal Parks for comment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n