Phoenix Park deer caused ‘undue stress’ by surge in visitors during pandemic

A WARNING has been issued to people not to approach wild deer in Phoenix Park, as a state agency has said that recent investigation showed they are under more stress than usual due to the volume of people in the park. from Dublin.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), which runs the park and manages the deer, said the surge in visitors is “significantly” compounded when people try to approach the wild deer to take selfies with them or to feed them.

The OPW listed the following as some of the “potential impacts” that an increase in human interactions can have on deer:

• Malnutrition – the park provides the perfect feeding habitat for deer and other foods such as carrots or bread are harmful
• Offering food can lead to competition among deer and lead to injury and stress levels
• Close contact can cause sickness exchange between wild animals and humans
• Deer are wild and therefore unpredictable and potentially dangerous
• They can move to high speed and strength if taken by surprise, as by sudden human movements
• As the Christmas season approaches, a time when deer have an important role to play, we ask visitors to keep their distance, 50 meters or more, and not engage in behaviors that pose a risk to deer or for the visitor, especially children. This includes feeding the deer and posing for selfies.

Park Superintendent Paul McDonnell said it was understandable that people wanted to get close to the deer.

“They are beautiful wild animals and as we experience the loss of the wildlife around us, we are naturally drawn to become involved with it when we see it. Deer have been the subject of many books and movies and have a special place in our hearts.

“However, these representations often make them look domesticated, which they are not. It has led many of us to believe that we are being useful when we feed them carrots or bread, but we are causing significant long-term harm to animals and potentially ourselves.

Wild deer also pose a significant threat of injury, especially to youngsters due to their size and potentially erratic behavior.

As an alternative to feeding the deer, the Phoenix Park staff has set up several mailboxes for the children to leave their letters to Rudolf.

These will be located in the Papal Cross parking lot, the Phoenix Park Visitor Center parking lot and the Camogie Grounds parking lot on Chesterfield Avenue in the lead up to Christmas and we are asking all families with young children to use them as a way of showing your concern for the welfare of wild deer.

The Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, said the impact of human interaction with wildlife around the world “is posing significant dangers to animal populations and humans.”

Ireland is not alone in this shift in human desire to engage directly with nature, so it is imperative that we work to help the public understand that if we are to protect and care for the herd of wild fallow deer that have lived in the park for longer 350 years ago that we adjusted our behavior.