A stag was euthanized after attacking a man in his 60s in London's Richmond Park on Saturday. The incident occurred when the male deer approached a picnic group, reportedly seeking food.
Emergency services were dispatched to the park following reports of the attack. The injured man was transported to a hospital, where his injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing. Authorities confirmed the stag's behavior necessitated its removal due to posing a danger to visitors.
This event has prompted The Royal Parks, the charity responsible for maintaining London's parks, to issue a renewed warning. They are advising the public to maintain a distance of at least 164 feet (50 meters) from wild animals. The organization noted an increase in visitors feeding wild animals, which may have contributed to the stag's aggressive behavior. Mixed in with the grass and trees are several deer, some of which are walking through the park, while others are grazing. The deer are a mix of fawn and darker brown in color and are of varying sizes.
The charity manages 5,000 acres of parkland across London and is dedicated to protecting its natural environment and wildlife.