Park visitors have been urged to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from wild deer and refrain from feeding them, following the circulation of footage showing people interacting closely with the animals in Richmond Park and Bushy Park. The Royal Parks organization has described the behavior as "highly dangerous" and "shocking," stating that feeding deer is illegal in all Royal Parks and poses a "real risk of serious injury" to the public.
Officials emphasized that deer are wild animals, not pets, and can be powerful and unpredictable. A red stag, for example, can weigh up to 200 kilograms. The organization warned that allowing deer to associate people with food can lead them to approach and pester visitors. The Royal Parks advises individuals to keep food and packaging out of sight if a deer approaches and to move away calmly. Anyone witnessing people touching the deer is encouraged to report it to the police.
Richmond Park, one of London's eight Royal Parks, spans 2,500 acres and is home to herds of deer. The area has faced challenges in maintaining park safety and regulation enforcement due to the disbanding of the Royal Parks Police by the Met Police in 2025 as part of budget cuts. Local council leaders have expressed concerns that this decision places an additional burden on local policing resources and risks leaving the parks less protected.
