Famous 'Downtown Deer' has too many friends, officials say

Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 12:16 PM - A lone deer that made headlines in July after being spotted exploring downtown Vancouver and swimming across the Burrard Inlet has apparently taken up residence in the city's famous Stanley Park.

Videos and photos of park-goers walking right up to the young buck and petting it have alerted officials to the animal's precarious new living arrangements -- and the potential threats of too much human contact.

Wildlife experts are warning people hoping for a close-up encounter to avoid the small fawn altogether.

"We want it to be in the natural areas of the park," Vancouver Park Board biologist Nick Page told the CBC. "Anytime it's associating with people, whether it's feeding or other forms of interaction, the risk increases."

The deer is already quite accustomed to people, and if becomes increasingly familiar is more likely to head back downtown.

The biggest concern is that the deer will wander back into busy areas outside of the protection of the park and be hit by a car, possibly injured or killed.

A Twitter account inspired by the Downtown Deer is not helping matters, attracting more attention to the fawn's many adventures with curious humans.

As of yet, there are no plans to relocate the deer from Stanley Park. But park officials have asked that if you happen to see the little guy, to stay back about 10 to 20 metres and admire him from afar.

Source: CBC

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