NEW DEER CULL STARTS IN BUSHY PARK ON JANUARY 12
An extra deer cull will take place in Bushy Park from Monday 12 January 2026, for approximately six weeks, The Royal Parks announced today.
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 from 8am Monday to Friday.
Vehicle and pedestrian gates are open as normal on Saturday and Sunday.
This cull is taking place because of staff illness which meant that the usual, planned 2025 November cull was not completed.
Bushy Park is home to about 320 red and fallow deer and their presence in the Park dates back to the days of Henry V111 in the sixteenth century.
As a member of The British Deer Society – Official, The Royal Parks takes deer welfare very seriously and all aspects of their welfare are monitored regularly.
In addition, both the society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales fully endorse humane culling.
The Royal Parks is an expert manager of enclosed deer herds, which are under veterinary supervision.
Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size and to prevent overcrowding.
Without population control, food would become scarce and more animals would ultimately suffer.
There would also be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition, high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter and a build-up of parasites and diseases in deer.