Stag Put Down After Man Injured in Richmond Park Deer Attack
A man in his 60s was taken to hospital after being attacked by a stag in Richmond Park, prompting a fresh warning from Royal Parks about keeping well away from the capital’s wild deer.
The incident happened at around 18:16 BST on Saturday when emergency services were called to the south-west London park. According to Royal Parks, the stag had approached a picnic group while looking for food before attacking the man.
The Metropolitan Police said the man suffered chest injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment. His injuries were not considered life-threatening or life-changing.
The stag was subsequently shot by a Royal Parks wildlife officer after its behaviour was judged to pose a continuing risk to visitors.
Royal Parks said the incident comes as it has seen more social media content showing people feeding deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks. The charity warned that feeding wild animals can change their behaviour, making them less wary of people and more likely to approach visitors in search of food.
Visitors are being told not to feed, approach or touch the deer and to maintain a distance of at least 50 metres. If a deer comes closer, Royal Parks advises people to move away slowly rather than attempting to interact with it.
The warning applies across Richmond and Bushy Parks, which together cover around 3,600 acres and support a large population of deer.
For visitors, the message is straightforward: these are wild animals, even when they appear accustomed to people. Keeping food away from deer and giving them plenty of space can reduce the risk of encounters becoming dangerous.
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