Visitors Urged to Respect Nara Deer as Mating Season Begins

Officials in Nara are cautioning tourists to respect the city's renowned deer as the autumn mating season commences, a period when male deer may exhibit heightened aggression due to increased tourist numbers. At Nara Park, prefectural authorities and a local deer protection group have distributed informational brochures in Japanese, English, and Chinese, detailing guidelines for visiting the deer.

The deer population, a designated Natural Monument, now stands at a record 1,700, coinciding with a surge in international visitors. Brochures advise against feeding the deer with anything other than specially sold crackers and discourage touching or chasing the animals. Tourists shared insights: "When I have food, I try to be careful so I don't get bitten" and "You shouldn't give them anything other than deer crackers.

We have to show respect for the deer." With mating season approaching, male deer are expected to become more aggressive. The Nara Prefectural Government intends to disseminate multilingual information to promote responsible visitor interactions with the deer. Meanwhile, Japan prepares for potential typhoons, with a tropical depression south of the country potentially evolving into Typhoon No. 24 by September 1, posing risks of intense rainfall and flooding in various regions.

Authorities also caution drivers about new speed limits on residential roads and urge recovery efforts following severe flooding.