Photo/Illutration Two stags with trimmed antlers fight in Nara Park on Oct. 18. Increased aggression is common in fall and spring. (Yikai Zhou)

NARA—Local authorities have issued unprecedented warnings about the dangers posed by the city's iconic deer after a surge in injuries caused by the animals this fall.

As the city grapples with the issue, experts are calling for a re-evaluation of the human-deer relationship in the ancient capital.

The warnings, which included adding signage at Kintetsu Nara Station and announcements in English and Chinese, urged visitors to keep their distance from the deer and avoid touching them.

The measures were implemented for one month until Nov. 7 following a significant increase in incidents involving the animals, particularly during the autumn mating season when males become more aggressive.

September saw 43 reported incidents, a sharp increase of 2.5 times more than the same period last year.

Many involved people being gored by the deer's antlers, with some victims requiring medical attention.

More than half of the victims were foreign tourists who had gotten too close.

To mitigate the risk of injuries, the Foundation for the Protection of Deer in Nara annually trims stags' antlers.

However, this year's cases still rose in spite of an increased effort to cut off antlers. This is likely due to an overall increase in the deer population.

As incident reports decreased in late October, the warning was effectively lifted. However, the foundation continues to caution visitors that, even after antler trimming, deer can still cause injuries.

BALANCING TOURISM AND SAFETY

Authorities continue to face a dilemma in finding an equilibrium between promoting tourism and protecting both humans and wildlife.

While the warning advises visitors to avoid touching the deer, it also encourages them to feed the animals with "deer crackers," a healthy snack specifically designed for them.

"We didn't want to give the impression that people should avoid Nara Park altogether," said an official of the popular locale where the deer mainly stay.

Officials had considered a three-tiered warning system for deer-related incidents but ultimately decided against it, fearing that such measures might deter tourists.

Instead, they plan to issue warnings as needed, using language tailored to the specific situation. This includes the spring breeding season, when the animals also become more aggressive.

TOO ACCUSTOMED TO EACH OTHER

To discuss the challenges facing the relationship between humans and deer, the foundation held a symposium here on Nov. 4, focusing on the impacts of the tourism boom following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panelists emphasized the risk of disrupting the longstanding harmony between humans and deer in the area.

Excessive interactions, such as hugging deer or touching their antlers, can lead to injuries and increase the risk of disease transmission.

Overfeeding can also lead to an increase in the deer population, which could exacerbate damage to the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yasuhiro Nakanishi, vice president of the foundation, stated that the appropriate distance between deer and humans has been compromised.

"Deer have become too accustomed to humans, and humans to deer," said Nakanishi.

He pointed out that deer were once revered as messengers of the gods, but this deep-rooted respect seems to be fading.

Shinichi Watanabe, a professor of environmental sociology at the Nara University of Education, drew parallels to coral reef conservation efforts in Hawaii.

"We're reaching a point where the message is, 'If you can't follow the rules, don't come,'" Watanabe said.

"We need to create clear rules and educate visitors, both domestic and international, to ensure the coexistence of humans and deer for centuries to come," he added.

(This article was written by Yikai Zhou and Misuzu Tsukue.)

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