A Richmond Park deer rut warning has been issued to visitors as the autumn breeding season gets underway, with park bosses urging the public to “steer clear of deer” because of the serious risk of injury.
The Royal Parks has joined forces with the RSPCA and the British Deer Society to launch a safety campaign ahead of the rut, which runs from September to November. Stags in Richmond Park and Bushy Park are competing to mate with females, and rising testosterone levels can make them unpredictable, less tolerant and potentially aggressive.
Visitors are being reminded that rutting deer are large, powerful wild animals: stags can weigh more than 150kg and run at speeds of up to around 40mph.
August picnic attack led to stag being put down
The joint campaign follows a serious incident in Richmond Park in August, when a stag attacked a man after approaching his picnic. The animal was subsequently put down after it was deemed to have learned to associate people with food, creating a danger to visitors that was unlikely to change.
It is forbidden to feed deer in the Royal Parks, but this summer numerous highly concerning videos of people approaching and feeding deer circulated on social media. The Royal Parks says deer can find all the food they need naturally; unsuitable foodstuffs can damage their specially adapted digestive systems and have been known to cause death. Feeding can also make deer lose their natural wariness and associate people with food, making them more likely to approach visitors — with the risk of a serious incident leading to injury or even death.
Richmond Park deer rut warning: the safety rules
During the rutting season, visitors to Richmond Park and Bushy Park are reminded to:
- Keep at least 50 metres away from deer
- Never feed deer, even if they approach you or appear to be seeking food
- Always keep dogs on a lead and at least 50m from deer — or walk them elsewhere during the rut to avoid confrontation
- Never approach, touch or attempt to photograph a deer at close range
- Never place yourself between deer, particularly during the rut
- Move away calmly from approaching deer, giving them plenty of space — use a solid obstacle such as a tree as a barrier if one shows threatening behaviour
- Do not block a deer’s path or try to make it move
- Follow signs and instructions from Royal Parks staff and Volunteer Rangers
“A very real risk” of serious injury
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. It is critical that people keep at least 50m away from deer to avoid spooking them. There is a very real risk that if the deer become stressed, someone too close by could get seriously hurt or even killed.”
He added: “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’.”
Kate Allberry, Scientific and Policy Manager at the RSPCA, said: “The autumn rut is an important part of a deer’s life, and it can be fascinating to witness. But it’s important to remember that deer are wild animals, and to give them the space they need to behave naturally.”
She added that feeding or approaching deer can affect their natural behaviour, risking stress and making them less wary of people — “and in some cases, can have tragic consequences for animals”.
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 will have an engagement stand in Richmond Park on 11 October, alongside The Royal Parks Volunteer Rangers, to speak with visitors about deer behaviour, the autumn rut and how people can safely enjoy the park alongside the animals.
Reporting based on The Royal Parks’ official press release.
