News Police urge tourists not to harm deer in Nara

[thomas]

Following an outcry over a viral video depicting a tourist kicking a deer in Nara Park, local authorities stepped up efforts to protect the beloved animals. On 25 July, police, government officials, and wildlife experts conducted joint patrols to educate visitors about respecting the deer. Multilingual flyers were distributed, and officers fluent in English and Chinese reinforced the message that harming the deer is illegal. The initiative aims to prevent future incidents and preserve the harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in Nara.

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The deer that inhabit Nara Park are considered to be messengers of the gods and have been protected since ancient times. According to Kohfukuji Temple, located within the park, there is a record of the execution of a person who killed a deer in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Also, in the Edo period (1603-1867), people were punished severely if they killed a deer. In 1957, the "Nara deer" were designated as national natural monuments. If a person causes serious injury or death to a deer, they are liable to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 1 million yen (about $6,500) for violation of the law for the protection of cultural properties. A man and a woman were convicted of killing a deer with a crossbow in 2010, and another man was found guilty of fatally striking a deer on the head with an axelike blade in 2021. On the other hand, according to the Nara Police Station, even if somebody hits or kicks a deer and they can be identified, if the animal is not badly injured it is difficult to form a case because it is very difficult to tell which deer was harmed.

Police urge tourists not to harm deer in Nara after video of man kicking animal goes viral - The Mainichi

NARA -- Police here conducted patrols on July 25 to urge tourists not to harm the deer in Nara Park after a video of a young man kicking one of the an

mainichi.jp

After viral video, Nara in plea to tourists not to harm wild deer | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[thomas]

I wonder if that guy was ever apprehended. After a wave of complaints, Nara Police started to educate the public on how to treat the 1,300 deer roaming the city.

Over 100 complaints were lodged with the police, with many begging them to "protect the deer" and asking why the man had not been arrested. In response, authorities conducted emergency patrols in the area. During these patrols, police officers distributed flyers explaining the correct way to interact with the deer. Officers fluent in English and Chinese took to the parks with microphones and loudspeakers to announce to tourists that Nara's deer are a protected species and that harming them could lead to legal consequences. "If a deer is killed or injured with a weapon, it could be considered a violation of the Protection of Cultural Properties Act," a senior police official noted.

Nara urges respect for sacred deer after viral abuse video sparks outcry

A video showing a man kicking a deer began circulating on social media in late July, resulting in the lodging of over 100 police reports.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

What a jerk. I hope he was apprehended. Based on his actions in the video the guy looks like a rather self-centered fellow.

Leave the deer alone.

 

[dracuella]

Based on his actions in the video the guy looks like a rather self-centered fellow

He really does. Also, why is he there if he loathes the deer so much which, I should think, is apparent from his actions. Just leave, dude.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

He really does. Also, why is he there if he loathes the deer so much which, I should think, is apparent from his actions. Just leave, dude.

You're profile pic looks so familiar, is it from an anime?

On topic… I would classify that as cruelty to animals, and that's not cool. I agree, that guy needs to leave, and I think its best if the deers leave too, just to ward off any other temptation.

 

[mdchachi]

and I think its best if the deers leave too, just to ward off any other temptation.

The deer can't leave. They live there.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

The deer can't leave. They live there.

Put em in a zoo then

 

[Achilles 1-1]

OMG I LOOKED UP A PICTURE IM NEVER GOING THERE

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

The deer in Nara are a national treasure. It's one of the things that makes Nara what it is. They've been there for longer than any of us has been around. Of course, for me the deer are mostly for ambiance; I would never feed or touch them in any way. @derekiscool 's approach is the right one, in my opinion: if you don't like the deer, don't go there. No one will ever force you to, unless you're a kid on a field trip...but I suspect such a case is vanishingly rare on Jref!

 

[Achilles 1-1]

The deer in Nara are a national treasure. It's one of the things that makes Nara what it is. They've been there for longer than any of us has been around. Of course, for me the deer are mostly for ambiance; I would never feed or touch them in any way. @derekiscool 's approach is the right one, in my opinion: if you don't like the deer, don't go there. No one will ever force you to, unless you're a kid on a field trip...but I suspect such a case is vanishingly rare on Jref!

It's also a great place to step on deer land mines and ruin your shoes

 

[mdchachi]

It's also a great place to step on deer land mines and ruin your shoes

Deer poo looks and is about the size of kibble. Not a big danger. (I once stepped on a big fresh cow patty in India though and that was a bit traumatic.)
But if you so choose (and they are still in business) you can have some deer poo ice cream. Yum.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

Deer poo looks and is about the size of kibble. Not a big danger. (I once stepped on a big fresh cow patty in India though and that was a bit traumatic.)
But if you so choose (and they are still in business) you can have some deer poo ice cream. Yum.
View attachment 119656

Ew **** no

 

[dracuella]

You're profile pic looks so familiar, is it from an anime?

Nope, it's from my mouse and Paint xD
I wanted an avatar that looked like me, ish. I've changed my hair since but my round face is still as round xD

On topic… I would classify that as cruelty to animals, and that's not cool. I agree, that guy needs to leave, and I think its best if the deers leave too, just to ward off any other temptation.

Don't you like deer? We have an park where I live roughly translated to 'the Animal Garden' where you can go in and walk among the deer and feed them the acorn you've gathered around the oak trees outside. There are also wild boar but their grounds are fenced off to keep them from mauling stupid visitors xD Oh and you visit the garden at your own risk; it is an animal habitat and you're a guest. Don't provoke the deer or you're going to have a bad time ^_^

 

[Petaris]

Those deer can get fairly aggressive if there is anything food like around. Like the little deer biscuits they sell to tourists to feed them. I have been bitten by them, in the butt no less, and try to keep my distance when we are there.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Deer rice cracker shop VS deer

The deer inhabiting the Nara whole area is appointed to a natural monument as an errand of God and continues living together while I am loved by a citizen of the prefecture and a tourist.
Whether it is "the deer rice cracker" which I want to put up when I go for sightseeing, is not taken though it is bare and is placed in the sale place?
I comment on a battle developed between deer with a staff to answer such a simple question this time.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

Nope, it's from my mouse and Paint xD
I wanted an avatar that looked like me, ish. I've changed my hair since but my round face is still as round xD

Don't you like deer? We have a park where I live roughly translated to 'the Animal Garden' where you can go in and walk among the deer and feed them the acorn you've gathered around the oak trees outside. There are also wild boar but their grounds are fenced off to keep them from mauling stupid visitors xD Oh and you visit the garden at your own risk; it is an animal habitat and you're a guest. Don't provoke the deer or you're going to have a bad time ^_^

It's not that I don't like deer, it's just that I don't like an excess amount of animals in one place. And it's the same reason I don't like anyone under the age of five, it's annoying. At least, to me.


Cheers!