An elderly man was forced to clamber up a tree after being confronted by an angry deer in Bushy Park.

The man, who was nearly 70 according to police, walked in between two stags on the morning of Thursday, October 4, and the angry deer was seen growling and chasing the man around a tree before he climbed up it to escape.

The police were called at about 9am to rescue the man, who had been walking in Bushy Park.

The confrontation came shortly after the Royal Parks issued information warning dog walkers and park users to steer clear of the animals during the mating season, which runs until the end of October.

Neil Coyte of Royal Parks said: “The man came pretty close to the deer and they are wild animals – you can’t predict how they are going to react.”

PC Roswell, the officer who attended the scene, said when he arrived the stag had moved away and the man was able to climb down.

He said: “He thought it was a good idea to climb up a tree to escape a stag. The man was nearly 70, his tree climbing speed was quite spectacular.”

He said he was not there to see how close the man was to the stag but received a call while the man was up the tree.

He warned parks users to steer clear of the animals, especially during October.

Users of the park are advised to stay at least 50m away from the deer during the mating season, which runs from September until the end of October.

Bill Swan, Bushy Park assistant manager, said: “During the deer mating season the male deer will be protecting their territory from rivals whilst rounding up groups of female deer. The deer will be far more active than usual, running, behaving spontaneously and defensively.

“It is safest to keep as distant as possible from them within the park during this time. They are very strong and fast wild animals following powerful instincts.”

He said the Royal Parks had new signs on every gate and around the car parks to warn visitors about the dangers of getting close to the deer during mating season.

He said: “Never get in between the deer, never feed the deer and never photograph them at close range.”

The Royal Parks also advised dog owners keep their pets on leads as the deer may feel threatened by the animals and may attack them.