Deer Feeding Warning Issued in Richmond Park, 2026

Key Points

• The Royal Parks has warned visitors not to approach, touch or feed wild deer in Richmond Park and Bushy Park.
• The warning follows social media footage showing children and adults standing close to deer and offering them food.
• The organisation described the behaviour as “highly dangerous” and said it was “shocked” by the footage.
• Red and fallow deer are wild, powerful and unpredictable animals, rather than domesticated pets.
• A red stag can weigh up to 200kg, meaning people who approach them may face a serious risk of injury.
• Visitors have been told to remain at least 50 metres away from deer at all times.
• Feeding deer is illegal and may cause them to approach and pester people after associating humans with food.
• Visitors should hide food and packaging, move away slowly and calmly, and wait for deer to leave before returning to a picnic.
• Richmond Park manager Paul Richards previously warned that the animals could react quickly and urged visitors to keep their distance.
• The safety guidance is particularly important during the deer’s rutting season, which runs from September to November.

Richmond Park (South London News) August 8, 2026, visitors have been warned not to approach, touch or feed wild deer after social media footage appeared to show children and adults standing close to a herd and offering the animals food.

The renewed warning applies to Richmond Park and Bushy Park, where red and fallow deer roam freely. The Royal Parks said members of the public could face serious injury if they move too close to the animals or encourage them to approach by offering food.

A spokesman for The Royal Parks said the organisation was “shocked” by what it described as “highly dangerous behaviour”. The comments followed the circulation of online clips showing a group of people standing in the middle of a herd of deer and feeding them.

The spokesman said:

“The deer are wild animals, not pets. They are large, powerful and unpredictable.”

The organisation added that a red stag could weigh up to 200kg. It warned that getting close to the animals and offering them food placed members of the public at “real risk of serious injury”.

Why has the warning been issued?

The warning was issued after footage circulated on social media showing adults and children approaching deer in Richmond Park. The scenes reportedly showed people standing among the animals, with some visitors feeding them and getting close enough to touch or interact with them.

The Royal Parks said this type of behaviour could put both people and deer at risk. Although deer may appear calm when grazing or standing in a group, they remain wild animals and can react quickly when they feel threatened, crowded or disturbed.

The organisation has stressed that visitors should not treat the deer as though they are tame animals. The presence of food can also change their behaviour, causing them to move towards people and continue seeking food from other visitors.

The Standard reported that a similar warning had been issued the previous month after footage showed adults and children crowding around and stroking deer in Richmond Park, south-west London. The latest message therefore represents a renewed appeal for visitors to follow the park’s safety rules.

The warning also comes as public interest in Richmond Park’s deer increases before the autumn rutting season. During this period, male deer can become more active and aggressive as they compete with one another.

What has The Royal Parks told visitors?

The Royal Parks’ official advice is that people should remain a minimum of 50 metres away from deer. Visitors are also told never to touch, feed or attempt to photograph the animals from a close distance.

The 50-metre rule applies to people visiting both Richmond Park and Bushy Park. The guidance says visitors should remain alert and give the animals more space if they are moving, displaying signs of agitation or involved in interactions with other deer.

Feeding deer is illegal in the two parks. The Royal Parks says the animals already have access to natural food, including grass, leaves, tree shoots, acorns and chestnuts. Visitors are therefore not required to provide food, and doing so can create an unsafe dependence on humans.

The organisation says feeding teaches deer to approach people for food. This may result in the animals becoming more persistent around visitors, particularly those who are eating, carrying bags or holding food.

Park users have been asked to avoid eating in close proximity to deer. If a deer approaches a picnic, visitors should cover their food, close bags and move back to a safe distance. They should then wait until the deer has moved away before returning to the picnic area.

What did Paul Richards say about the deer?

Paul Richards, the Richmond Park manager, previously described the red and fallow deer as “wild, powerful animals”. He said they could be quick to react and urged visitors to maintain a safe distance.

His comments followed earlier footage showing people crowding around deer and attempting to touch them. The Royal Parks said visitors should not put themselves, children or the animals in danger by trying to interact with them.

The latest advice also tells members of the public to put food and packaging out of sight if a deer comes towards them. Visitors should move away slowly and calmly rather than waving, shouting or attempting to drive the animal away.

The Royal Parks’ safety guidance says that if a deer advances towards a person, the visitor should back away if possible. If someone is threatened or charged, they should try to place a vehicle or substantial barrier, such as a large tree, between themselves and the animal.

The advice also includes guidance for dog walkers. Deer may feel threatened by dogs, even when the dog is not behaving aggressively. During sensitive periods, The Royal Parks recommends walking dogs outside Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

Why can feeding deer be dangerous?

Feeding can encourage deer to associate people with food. Once that association develops, deer may approach visitors more often and may become difficult to discourage.

The animals’ size and strength mean that even behaviour intended by visitors to be friendly can create a dangerous situation. A person standing close to a deer may be unable to move away quickly if the animal suddenly changes direction, reacts to another deer or feels threatened.

The risk can increase when visitors surround deer, stand between animals or attempt to attract their attention with food or mobile phones. The Royal Parks has previously said people should not wave food or phones in the animals’ faces.

Feeding may also harm the deer. Human food is not necessary for the animals, which can find natural food in the parks. Food packaging can create an additional danger if deer eat plastic bags or other material while trying to reach what is inside.

The safety message is therefore aimed at protecting visitors as well as wildlife. The Royal Parks’ position is that deer should be observed from a distance and not encouraged to interact with people.

What should visitors do during the rutting season?

The rutting season usually takes place between September and November. During this period, male deer may roar, bark and clash antlers while competing with rivals and seeking mates.

The Royal Parks warns that visitors should be particularly vigilant during the rut. Deer can appear relaxed before suddenly chasing or fighting one another, and people who stand nearby may be caught in the animals’ movements.

Visitors should never stand between two rutting deer. They should also avoid attempting to take close-range photographs, as getting into position for a picture may bring them inside the recommended safety distance.

Photographers have been advised to remain at least 50 metres away and use a long lens. The guidance is intended to reduce stress for the animals and prevent photographers from surrounding or obstructing them.

Anyone visiting with children should ensure they remain well away from the deer. The Royal Parks has specifically urged adults to keep children at a safe distance, as young visitors may not recognise signs that an animal is becoming unsettled.

What does the warning mean for Richmond Park visitors?

Visitors can still observe the deer, but they are expected to do so without approaching or encouraging contact. The message from The Royal Parks is that the animals should be enjoyed from a distance, with food kept concealed and sufficient space maintained.

People planning picnics should remain alert to deer nearby and avoid areas where the animals are gathering. If deer move towards a picnic, the safest response is to cover food, close bags and leave the area calmly rather than attempting to protect the food or attract the animals elsewhere.

The warning also places responsibility on adults supervising children. Parents and guardians should not allow children to stroke, feed or move among the deer, even if the animals appear calm.

The Royal Parks has repeated that the animals are wild and unpredictable. Visitors who follow the 50-metre rule and avoid feeding or touching the deer can reduce the risk of confrontation while allowing the herd to continue its natural behaviour.

What is the background to the deer safety advice?

Richmond Park is home to free-roaming red and fallow deer, while Bushy Park also contains herds that move through areas used by visitors. The Royal Parks has long advised people to keep away from the animals because they are not domesticated.

The organisation’s standing guidance says feeding deer is illegal in Richmond Park and Bushy Park. It also warns that visitors should not touch the animals or photograph them from close range.

The advice becomes especially important during the rutting season and the birthing season. The Royal Parks identifies May to July as the birthing period and says dog walkers must keep dogs on leads in all areas of the parks between 1 May and 31 July.

The latest warning follows repeated concerns over footage showing visitors approaching, stroking and feeding deer. The Royal Parks has responded by restating the distance rule and asking people to avoid behaviour that can alter the animals’ natural responses to humans.

How could the development affect park visitors?

The warning is likely to lead visitors, families, photographers and dog walkers to take greater notice of the 50-metre safety rule when using Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

Families may need to supervise children more closely, particularly when deer are gathered near paths, picnic areas or open lawns. People carrying food may also be expected to keep it covered and move away calmly if animals approach.

Photographers could face increased pressure to avoid close-range images and to use longer lenses instead. Dog walkers may also need to reconsider routes during the rutting and birthing seasons, when deer can be more sensitive to dogs and human activity.