Wicklow Mountains National Park’s post

DO NOT FEED THE DEER

We are having increasing reports of people feeding deer in Glendalough. We have a proliferation of both deer and people. The deer are very accustomed to people in the area along the walking trails and don’t exhibit natural fear. The feeding of animals is a problem in parks all over the world in all sorts of species. The animals lose their natural fear of people once they have become accustomed to being fed. When they approach someone who does not offer them food, they can become aggressive.

Please, please do not feed the deer.

You may enjoy the experience, but ultimately you are hurting the deer. Your food is not the natural diet of deer, not even ‘healthy’ fruit and vegetables. Wild deer eat wild grasses and other plants. Our food can make them ill.

But the greatest problem for deer is losing their fear of people. Tame deer often attack people. They can head-butt visitors with their antlers, and they can rear up and slash repeatedly with their hooves. Please keep your distance from deer.

Please let wild deer be wild.