Deer put off mating by photographers
Stags compete for females by roaring, barking and clashing antlers to fend off their rivals.
Deer are being 'put off' mating by crowds of amateur photographers hoping to get a snap of rival stags locking antlers, according to Richmond Park wardens.
The park's assistant manager, Adam Curtis, told The Times: "I have seen 60 photographers circling a stag trying to mate."
During the rutting season, which takes place from September to November, stags compete for females by roaring, barking and clashing antlers to fend off their rivals.
While this makes for a striking photograph, members of the public are being urged to keep their distance, as crowds of people are cutting mating rituals short and causing females to scatter, forcing stags to use more energy running around to entice them back.
Mr Curtis said the number of deer at the park could even be put at risk.
Richmond Park has around 630 free-roaming red and fallow deer.
Members of the public are advised to keep at least 50 metres distance from the animals, never to touch or feed them, to avoid getting between two deer and never to photograph them at close range. Dog walkers are also advised to stay outside of the parks during rutting season.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
