BUSHY PARK GATES LOCKED FOR DEER CULL
Cull is necessary to keep control of the size of the herds
The annual deer culls at Bushy Park will be taking place from 00:01am Monday 4 September 2023 for 6 weeks, and again from 00:01am on Wednesday 1 November for approximately 6 weeks.
During this time, the vehicle gates to the park will be locked at 7pm and the pedestrian gates at 10:30pm Sunday to Thursday.
All gates will be unlocked between 7:30am and 8:00am – Monday to Friday.
Starting on Monday 4 September, and continuing for approximately six weeks, all pedestrian gates in Bushy Park will be locked at 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday while vehicle gates will be locked at 7pm throughout the duration of the deer cull.
All gates (Vehicle and Pedestrian) will open between 7.30am and 8am each morning, Monday to Friday. Pedestrian and Vehicle gates are open as normal on Saturday and Sunday. Apologies for any inconvenience and thanks for your understanding. Please do find more information, here
There are around 320 red and fallow deer currently in beautiful Bushy Park.
The Royal Parks, which is responsible for Bushy Park explain the reason for the controversial cull which does attract opposition.
They state: “As a member of the British Deer Society, we take deer welfare very seriously. Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size, and to prevent overcrowding.
“The British Deer Society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales fully endorse humane culling as best practice in deer herd management and The Royal Parks is an expert on enclosed wild deer herds.
“If the herd size was not managed food would become scarce, and more animals would ultimately suffer.
“Without population control there would be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition and high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter.
“Attempting to maintain too many deer within a restricted park area would soon lead to a build-up of parasites and other pathogens causing disease in the deer.
“It’s important to understand that we only undertake humane culling for deer welfare reasons and not as a way to make money.
“Money raised from the sale of venison goes towards the cost of the Wildlife Officers we employ to look after the deer.
“The Royal Parks make no profit from keeping herds of deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks.”
For more information go to: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/bushy-park#about
