Deer

Richmond Park, originally a deer-hunting park, still has 300 Red Deer and 350 fallow deer. The deer have played a major role in the Park's history and have shaped the landscape too. Our special grassland habitat depends on grazing and the parkland trees have a distinctive 'browse line' as the deer eat all the leaves and twigs growing below about 1.5 metres. Deer grazing also prevents tree seedlings from growing, keeping the grassland open. For young trees to survive they need to be protected against damage from deer antlers for some 50 years.

During the autumn the deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The Red 'stags' and Fallow 'bucks' compete for females (known as 'hinds' and 'does' respectively). At this time, the large males roar, bark and clash antlers in a spectacular way in an attempt to fight off rivals and to attract as many females as possible. The young are born mainly in June, and are hidden by their mothers amongst the bracken and long grass. Females and their young are very vulnerable and sensitive to disturbance at this time.

The deer are wild animals, so never try to touch or feed them. Always keep a respectful distance, especially if you have a dog.