It’s not just the people who enjoy the warm weather this week. The famous deer in Phoenix Park in Dublin have also been spotted making the most of the sun. But as the crowds return to the capital’s largest park to enjoy its open spaces, forests, and playing fields, they have brought the scourge of trash with them. A deer chewing on garbage in Phoenix Park Image: Fran Veale This wild deer, which like the rest of the 600-strong herd feeds 90% on grass, was tempted by a discarded fast-food package that was tempted by a careless one Visitor was thrown away. And although the beautiful creatures can be a major attraction in the capital’s largest park, the public has been urged not to feed them. The Public Works Office previously warned that the increase in visitors to the park due to COVID-19 restrictions is having a terrifying effect on animals. With rising temperatures and hopefully sunny weather on the horizon, the warning remains not to stress the deer unnecessarily. The effects are made significantly worse when people attempt to approach the deer to take selfies or to feed them. As the crowds return to Phoenix Park to enjoy its open spaces, forests, and playing fields, they have brought the scourge of trash with them. Image: Brian Lawless / PA Wire The public has been warned that while deer may appear domesticated, it is not. Increased human interaction has a number of effects on animals, as food can lead to deer competition resulting in injury and high levels of stress, while close contact can lead to the exchange of diseases between wildlife and humans. The deer do not need food as the park provides the perfect feeding space for them and other foods such as carrots or bread are harmful. This wild deer, 90% grass like the rest of the 600 herd, was tempted by a discarded fast food package that was thrown away by a careless visitor. Photo: Fran Veale Bothering you can not only harm the animal, but also wild animals pose a significant risk of injury, especially for young people, due to their size and their potentially erratic behavior. Those who visit the park in summer should keep a distance of 50 m or more and not engage in behavior that endangers the game or the visitor, especially children. The deer can move with great speed and force when caught by surprise, for example by sudden human movements. A deer has been spotted chewing rubbish in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Image: Artur Widak / NurPhoto via Getty Images Park Superintendent Paul McDonnell witnesses the diverse human endeavors to control the wild deer. “It is very understandable that people of all ages want to get close to the wild deer. They are beautiful wild animals, and when we see the loss of wildlife around us, we are naturally drawn to engaging with them whenever we see them, ”he warned earlier. “Deer have been the subject of many books and films and have a special place in our hearts. However, these representations often make them appear domesticated, which they are not. “Many of us believe that giving them carrots or bread will help, but we do significant long-term harm to animals and possibly ourselves. The wild deer also pose a significant risk of injury, especially to young people, due to their size and potentially erratic behavior. ‘
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