Fighting fallow deer jump on Audi in Richmond Park
By The Editor 30th Oct 2020
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This startling footage shows a buck jumping up onto a car apparently after losing a fight in Richmond Park.
Rutting season happens between September and November when red deer followed by fallow deer clash in competition for partners.
Yesterday (Wednesday, October 28) two fallow bucks were among a herd of deer when they locked horns.
Richmond resident Lander Esparza Zudaire said he was 50m away from the scene when he started filming.
The 35-year-old told Richmond Nub News: "The bucks were fighting and I think simply one of them realised he 'lost the battle' and wanted to run away from the contender.
Read more: Stag rams car in reminder of rutting season in Richmond Park
"After the crash, the buck who jumped in the car kept running away from the other one."
Mr Zudaire said the deer may have run into the car because the scrap left him oblivious to his surroundings.
"It looked like during the fight the bucks are isolated from the surroundings, just focused on fighting," he said. "They can be very unpredictable in these situations."
In a similar incident last year, a distressed stag rammed a moving car with its antlers.
Speed limit for safety of animals
The Royal Parks advise visitors to keep 50m away from the deer wherever possible – for the safety of both themselves and the wild animals.
Richmond Park manager Simon Richards said: "It's not uncommon to see male deer chasing off challengers during rutting season (September-November), and these wild, powerful animals can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and cover a lot of ground.
"It's important, therefore, that every visitor to a deer park, including motorists and cyclists, are extra vigilant during this time.
"Fifty metres is the minimum distance we recommend, but it's wise to give them as much space as possible, especially when they are fighting."
He added: "It's important that all road users are aware of deer when travelling through Bushy and Richmond Parks and give way.
"Thankfully the car in this video was travelling slowly, and therefore the buck (male deer) seems to be relatively unscathed.
"The park speed limit was reduced to 20mph in 2003, because at this speed there is time to brake and avoid wild animals."
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