Over the next few weeks in the month of May, over 100 deer will be born in Bushy Park. This happens safely every year here, mostly without disturbance and out of the view of visitors. 

 

But, inevitably, the increase in walkers and their dogs over the last two years has posed a threat to this previously safe haven for the deer.

 

Bushy Park is home to about 320 fallow and red deer, which have roamed freely in the park since the hunting days of Henry VIII. 

 

The diverse plant life and variety in grazing sites provide the ideal feeding grounds for the herd groups: the bracken and long grass areas provide protection for the mothers during the birthing season, which starts mid May and continues through to July. The female deer (hind for red deer, doe for the fallow deer) will select an area of dense vegetation, away from the threat of dogs or humans, to give birth in a safe place usually away from the herd. They are naturally on high alert and become extremely defensive when they feel threatened or disturbed by people but especially by dogs. 

 

Local visitor to the park Steve Mariner commented that he has “witnessed on many occasions deer stampeding in fear away from dogs. I have also seen too many people crowding around deer taking photos, so it’s not surprising when there are reports of attacks and injuries to both people and their dogs.”

 

In recent years dog walkers have been instructed to keep dogs on a lead during the birthing season; this has proved to be a success with a 92% drop in incidents of dogs chasing deer during this time. This year the park has put up signs asking that all dogs should be kept on a lead from 1st May to 31st July, which shows the areas to avoid altogether with dogs and advises that they should be walked around the park perimeter.

 

Although the restrictions are the same as in recent years, there seems to be a greater uproar in response to them, with controversies arising on social sites.

 

On the local website “Nextdoor”, many dog walkers have expressed feeling aggrieved that they are struggling to find alternative open spaces to exercise their dogs. Luckily, Richmond borough has many other green spaces and parks to choose from and, although in some cases grudgingly, walkers and their dogs might also welcome a change of scene for the three month period, and the deer can benefit from having a quieter, safer environment for the arrival of new life.