Richmond Park deer 'having their antlers ripped off' as Royal Parks Police issue warning

Royal Parks Police have had to issue a stark warning after people have been seen attempting to rip antlers off deer in Richmond Park. The message was shared on X where the unit detailed that people have been approaching the beasts to take their antlers.

The tweet read: "We have received reports of concerning behavior in #RichmondPark over the weekend, where park users have been observed approaching the deer and attempting to remove their antlers. Video footage of these incidents has been obtained.

"We urge anyone who witnesses such behavior to contact the police by calling 101." In the thread they added: "To pre-empt some replies, we are aware behaviour has been spelt incorrectly."

READ MORE: Woman said she couldn't walk in £500k injury claim but was caught after running on Jeremy Kyle Show

It added that although it's natural for deers' antlers to fall off at certain times of the year, it's distressing and illegal for humans to speed the process up. It said: "The deer cast their antlers each year and grow new ones. However, instead of allowing their old antlers to fall off naturally, some people are taking hold of them and trying to force them off, which is distressing for the deer and also a criminal offence."

Deer can be unpredictable and park visitors are advised to keep a 50-metre distance from them at all times. They eat grass, leaves and shoots of trees, acorns and chestnuts, so you needn't feed them, and doing so is actually a crime.

It's also advised that visitors don't have picnics in proximity to the deer. However if you are having a picnic and the deer approach, there are a few things you can do.

You should cover your food and close any bags, but also leave the food behind and move back to a safe distance. Also make sure you wait for the deer to move on before returning to their picnic spot.

Got a story? Please get in touch at rafi.benady@reachplc.com

Don't miss out on the biggest West London news. Sign up to our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.