Watch: stag rams car in reminder of rutting season in Richmond Park

By The Editor

18th Sep 2020 | Local News

This footage of a distressed stag ramming a car highlights the need to keep a safe distance from the wild animals of Richmond Park.

As we reported last week, the annual rut takes place in Richmond and Bushy Parks between September and November.

The Royal Parks' advice is to keep 50m away from the deer wherever possible – for the safety of both visitors and animals.

Last year Richmond Hill resident Adam Bradley captured footage of a stag ramming a moving car in the park with its antlers.

Such was the strength of the blow that a clean hole was punctured in the car.

Mr Bradley, 33, speaks here with Richmond Nub News about the incident, 12 months on.

What do you think made the stag ram the car? Obviously during mating season their hormones are going wild and they will naturally be in a state of ego and aggression towards any threat or challenge.

As the car was white it could have seen a reflection of itself in the window or door and challenged the opposing stag it saw in front of him.

Or perhaps over time the generations of deer are changing the way they perceive and behave around people and vehicles in the park.

What would you like to say about the incident, 12 months on? Well, it was amazing to see.

It seems like every year there are more and more visitors and tourists who are maybe not familiar with the primitive nature... but may have seen Bambi before.

I just hope people keep their distance and do not disturb them and their instincts.

Despite being located within greater London surrounded by busy towns and suburban streets Richmond Park is essentially a whole environment of its own, home to many species of wildlife.

I admired David Attenborough's recent documentary about the park, I'd love to hear his opinion regarding the video.

What made you start filming at such a perfect time to capture the moment? I did actually suggest to my friend who hadn't really been before that it was mating season and we might see some action, as a joke.

We could hear the deep bellowing noises from the stags. I remember a young boy being frightened after hearing them and ran to his dad crying.

You have to be careful as they can be quiet and just around a corner. I thought we might see the two in the video fight from a distance and I must say as the cars passed so close I was kind of expecting something to happen.

It's amazing how his antlers dented and also punctured a clean hole in the car door.

I imagine the incident would be deemed an "act of god" by insurance companies and ended up facing a big bill or write-off.

I wonder what would have happened if it was a cyclist instead!

More Richmond Park coverage:

Killer dog not seized despite police speaking to owner

Young deer dies after dog attack in Richmond Park

Remarkable images as bulldog takes on a stag

Rutting season begins in Richmond Park - visitors warned!

'Deer fed sandwiches and fizzy drinks' - warning by park managers

     

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