A stag was shot and killed in Richmond Park on Saturday afternoon after it injured a man who was part of a picnic group. The Royal Parks, which manages the park, stated that the animal approached the group "looking for food."
Emergency services were called to the scene around 6 p.m. The injured man, in his sixties, was taken to the hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Officials from The Royal Parks confirmed that the stag's behavior necessitated its euthanization, as it was deemed a danger to visitors.
This incident follows recent warnings issued by The Royal Parks regarding the risks associated with approaching and feeding wild deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks. Visitors have been urged to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from the animals. The Royal Parks noted that repeated feeding can cause deer to lose their natural wariness of people, leading them to seek food from visitors and creating risks for both humans and wildlife. It is suspected that the stag involved in Saturday's incident had learned to associate park visitors with food.
Guidance from The Royal Parks advises visitors to keep food and packaging out of sight if a deer approaches and to slowly back away. The organization has previously expressed concern over footage showing visitors, including children, feeding the deer, describing the behavior as "highly dangerous."
Richmond Park, one of London's eight Royal Parks, spans 2,500 acres and is home to ancient trees and herds of deer. The park's management emphasizes that the animals are wild and should never be fed, approached, or touched. In response to incidents of people touching the deer, The Royal Parks has urged the public to report such behavior to the police.