NARA - Nara Park's famous deer are increasingly spilling into residential areas and farmland as their population reaches a record high, creating new problems for residents even as the animals remain a major attraction for visitors to the ancient capital.
The deer were also struggling with intense summer heat in Nara on August 10, with the temperature already above 34 degrees Celsius before noon and a forecast high of 36 degrees.
Few tourists remained in sunny areas of the park, while both visitors and deer sought shade. Several deer gathered beneath mist showers installed for tourists, including one large antlered deer that remained sitting under the cooling spray for more than three hours.
The deer of Nara have long been regarded as messengers of the gods and are protected as a nationally designated natural monument, but their numbers have now risen to unprecedented levels.
A survey conducted in July counted 1,687 deer, an increase of 222 from the previous year and the highest number on record.
One factor cited for the increase is excessive feeding by tourists. Deer crackers sold in Nara Park are expected to reach record sales levels this year as the number of inbound visitors continues to grow.
However, the crackers can sell out when tourist numbers are high, and visitors were also seen giving the animals other types of food despite such feeding being prohibited.
Experts say foods that are more nutritious than the traditional deer crackers can help keep the animals' body fat levels low while maintaining high pregnancy rates, contributing to population growth.
As the number of deer increases, Nara Park has become increasingly crowded, with animals appearing more frequently in nearby residential districts and other areas where people live.
Deer that were once rarely seen outside the park can now be found in numerous residential neighborhoods, creating what appears in some areas to be a series of miniature versions of Nara Park.
The animals have also been entering farmland and damaging crops, while some have become involved in traffic accidents, increasing the impact on local residents.
Authorities face a difficult challenge in responding to the growing population because the deer have been protected for centuries and retain deep cultural and religious significance as animals traditionally regarded as messengers of the gods.
Source: YOMIURI
