Feeding Phoenix Park Deer Could Make Them More Aggressive

Visitors to Dublin's Phoenix Park, who feed the deer, risk making the future herd more aggressive.

A new UCD study has found the fawns of females that regularly beg for food were significantly heavier, leading to the whole herd becoming more dependent on human feeding over generations.

It could result in deer that consistently harass people, putting the animals and visitors in danger.

NEW PAPER @UCD_Wildlife led by @lauraelgriffin in collaboration with @opwireland @phoenixparkopw https://t.co/qp9kKG1tJ2 @PaN_BES @UCD_Research @UCDPress @SBESPostgrad #dontfeedthedeer DO NOT FEED THE DEER! pic.twitter.com/x96cgYCV0F

— Lab of Wildlife Ecology & Behaviour (@UCD_Wildlife) May 9, 2022

The park, that gets around 10 million visitors a year, is home to between 500 and 600 deer.

The OPW and park rangers have consistently warned the public not to interact with the deer by either feeding them or getting too close for photos and selfies.