A DEER has been shot dead at a popular park in London after injuring a man in his 60s while he was having a picnic.
Emergency services rushed to Richmond Park on Saturday afternoon after an elderly man was attacked by a deer that was reportedly looking for food.
A man in his 60s was injured by a deer in Richmond Park, London Credit: Getty
Royal Parks have reminded visitors to not approach the animals Credit: Jack Hill/The Times
Police and ambulance staff raced to the scene and found a man in his 60s with chest injuries.
He was taken to hospital where the wounds were assessed as neither life-changing nor life threatening.
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Due to the deer‘s behaviour, it was deemed dangerous to other visitors and the decision was made to put the animal down.
Richmond Park is popular with joggers and cyclists and is home to 600-strong herds of red and fallow deer.
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The deer have roamed the park, which spans some 2,500 acres, since 1637.
Royal Parks have reiterated the importance of not approaching the deer and to not attempt to feed them.
A spokesperson said: “We understand from the police that thankfully the injuries were not life-threatening.
“Sadly, the stag’s behaviour meant that it had to be put down as it was deemed to be a danger to visitors.
“We suspect that this particular stag may have learnt to associate visitors with food.
“If visitors follow our advice and do not feed or interfere with the deer, it is highly unlikely that they will exhibit this type of behaviour.”
This comes after videos and photographs circulated online of park visitors approaching the deer and feeding them.
In one video, parents let a young children stroke one of the wild deer despite repeated safety warnings.
The alarming footage shows mums and dads encouraging youngsters to pet the deer on the head while others feed the herd.
Recently, Royal Parks said it was “shocked and alarmed” by similar behaviour of visitors in nearby Bushy Park and warned that this can prove dangerous as the animals can be unpredictable.
The spokesperson said: “This is highly dangerous behaviour.
“Deer in Bushy and Richmond Parks are wild animals and should never be fed, approached or touched.
“Repeated feeding can cause deer to lose their natural wariness of people and seek out food from visitors, creating risks for both people and wildlife.
“Getting this close, and offering food, puts people at real risk of serious injury.”
They added: “Our advice is simple. Keep at least 50 metres away, never feed or touch the deer, and if one comes towards you, put all food and packaging out of sight and move away slowly and calmly.
“Do not try to move the deer away yourself.”
