Video of a woman interacting with Vancouver’s famous “Downtown Deer” in Stanley Park has officials concerned the animal is becoming too habituated to humans.
The footage, which was uploaded to YouTube over the weekend, shows the young deer licking the woman’s hand while she pets it on the head.
Nick Page, a biologist for the Vancouver park board, said there haven’t been any reports of people feeding the deer, but recent human interactions are still troubling.
“It allows people to come right up to it and I think that’s evolved into people seeking it out and not just taking a picture of it, but actually trying to pet it,” Page said.
The deer is believed to have been living in Stanley Park for weeks, ever since it made headlines trotting down busy Granville Street in July.
Page said officials are happy to see a staying living in the park – a rare occasion – but they’re concerned it’s starting to seek out human attention.
That could lead it into dangerous situations.
“The risk to the deer is related to probably being hit on the road,” Page said. “If it’s moving into more populated areas or places where there’s more dogs, for example, there’s more likelihood it’s going to be chased or injured.”
People are encouraged to appreciate the deer at a distance of about 20 metres.
“Be happy it’s here, appreciate it, but don’t go that close,” Page said.
