A six-week deer cull begins in Richmond Park tonight (Monday, February 1).

The cull takes place twice annually to maintain

Conservation charity Friends of Richmond Park said: "There are 2 culls in Richmond Park – the males in February and the females in November.

"The cull is necessary in order to maintain the number of deer in the park and prevent overgrazing which would ultimately result in starvation. It is also the reason why Royal Parks' herds are in excellent condition."

Around 80-130 deer are culled in the park every November and February.

It happens overnight when the park is shut to visitors - outside of cull seasons the park is open 24 hours a day.

For the next six weeks the park will close at 8pm and reopen at 7.30am.

Read more about how deer populations are managed on the Royal Parks website.

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