Tourism Deer attacks on the rise in Nara Park

A few people get injured each year from September to October, when the stags are in mating season and become more aggressive. However, the Nara Park Office says the number of stags and injured people this year is higher than usual. Deer in Nara Park have had their antlers clipped at a rate of 10 to 15 a day since late August, but the park office estimates that the antler clipping process has not kept pace with the number of deer. A surge in foreign visitors to Nara and people walking through the park holding deer crackers are also considered factors. There were 35 hurt in September, seven times more than the year prior. Many of the injuries are puncture wounds of a few centimetres on the thigh or other body parts, and ten people were taken to hospital in September. In addition to their usual publicity activities, such as on their websites and PR magazines, the prefectural and municipal governments are increasing their outreach efforts through electronic signboards and other means.

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