THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
October 7, 2024 at 16:43 JST
SAPPORO—Hokkaido University’s Botanic Garden here has been closed since Oct. 1 after a wild deer was spotted on the grounds.
Officials chose to shut down the location out of concern for safety. The garden is about a 10-minute walk from Sapporo Station in the center of the city.
With no nearby mountains, the animal's appearance has sparked curiosity, leaving many to wonder, “Where did it come from?”
Yezo deer, native to Hokkaido, are larger than those typically found on Japan’s main island of Honshu.
The garden's unexpected visitor is thought to be a buck, based on its antlers, and was first spotted in the botanical garden on the evening of Sept. 30.
Daily sightings followed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3 in the garden that houses more than 4,000 plant species, including maple trees favored by deer.
Although there were no sightings on Oct. 4, officials decided to keep the garden closed, saying this did not guarantee the public's safety.
On the same day, a buck was also spotted on the grounds of the Hokkaido government office building next to the garden. It may be the same animal.
Kazuto Sakata, an official with the city’s environmental coexistence department, said that October and November are mating season for deer and males are currently more active in their search for a mate.
“While they’re not typically aggressive, they may become a bit more temperamental,” he said. “If spotted, please keep your distance and report it to the police.”
Officials are cautious about attempts to capture the animal, as it could bolt into the road and increase the risk of traffic accidents.
"We hope the stag will leave on its own once traffic slows down at night," Sakata said.
Although deer sightings in the center of Sapporo are rare, the Yezo deer population across Hokkaido has been steadily increasing.
The Hokkaido government estimates that it reached 730,000 by the end of fiscal 2023, an increase of 10,000 from the previous fiscal year.
The number of deer captured in fiscal 2023 also hit a record high of 150,000, up 5,000 from the previous fiscal year.
(This article was written by Yuka Suzuki and Osamu Hiura.)
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A Yezo deer is spotted on the grounds of the Hokkaido government office building in Sapporo on Oct. 4. (Osamu Hiura)
