Japan’s Nara plans to cull more sacred deer to protect farms, tackle starvation
- Officials have proposed to kill the animals in a buffer zone surrounding Nara Park that attracts thousands of visitors, who feed them rice crackers
- The move came amid reports the deer were plundering farmers’ fields and starving to death at a preservation facility
Japan has proposed to cull dozens of the sacred deer dotting the country’s ancient capital of Nara to prevent them from damaging crops while others housed by a local animal welfare organisation were reportedly neglected and on the brink of starvation.
Nara’s deer are traditionally regarded as the messengers of the gods and mingle with the thousands of visitors to the historical and cultural sights of Nara Park, including Todaiji Temple, home to the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world.
Visitors usually buy rice crackers to feed the tame deer, with the proceeds going for their care.
“The tourists love to see the cute bambis and feed them and I’ve never seen them attack a person or bite,” said Tsutomu Harada, a tour guide who has visited Nara several times.
“For us, they are sacred animals that must be respected but they are also one of the most important tourist attractions in the city,” he said.
“But with more deer and less space, the border between where the deer can go and graze and the areas where they are not meant to go is becoming harder to protect.”