Rutting season has begun in Richmond Park - and visitors have been urged to stay safe.

The Royal Parks' advice is to keep a 50m distance and photographers who are keen to get the perfect shot of wild deer in battle should use a long lens. Selfies are inadvisable.

The annual rut takes place in Richmond and Bushy Parks between September and November.

It sees red stags and fallow bucks compete for females. The male deer, pumped full of testosterone, roar, bark and clash antlers to fight off rivals and attract as many females as possible.

Clashes can be so violent that the deer can die as a result of their injuries.

Richmond Park's assistant manager Adam Curtis said: "Aside from being dangerous and stressful to the deer, getting too close can inhibit natural behaviour. Once, I counted 60 photographers encircling a single stag.

"There are some very responsible wildlife photographers out there, but sadly there are far too many that value the photo over the subject."

Importance of keeping your distance

Last month the Royal Parks charity told people not to feed the wild deer in Richmond Park and said there had been cases of the animals being fed crisps, sandwiches and even fizzy drinks.

Visitors may wish to consider going to the park at off-peak times such as dawn on a weekday.

Dog walkers are advised to be cautious and should either walk their dog elsewhere, or make sure they are on a lead and keep to paths and busy areas, where deer are less likely to congregate.

Mr Curtis added: "Just because our deer are in enclosed parks does not mean they are domesticated.

"Our deer are wild and therefore unpredictable. People fail to realise this when they are chasing them with a selfie stick, attempting to feed them or even trying to pet them.

"Stags during rutting season can weigh up to 25 stone, reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and have over 20 sharp spikes on their head.

"Getting close to them, or any deer, is dangerous. Also, during the rut, stags are being chased by other stags, so people and dogs that get too close risk getting caught in the crossfire."

Richmond Park and Bushy Park are the two largest of the eight Royal Parks, and together span more than 3,500 acres.

They are managed by the Royal Parks charity and are home to nearly a thousand wild red and fallow deer.

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