Soaring Deer Count in Nara Linked to Rise in Tourist Presence, Resulting in Abundance of Snack Crackers for the Deer Herd
In Nara Park, the historic site and cultural heritage of Japan, the deer population has experienced a significant change over the past year. According to the latest survey conducted by the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation, the number of deer in the park has increased to 1,465, an increase of 140 from the previous year [2][6].
This growth in the deer population can be attributed to several factors. The abundance of food, primarily from Zoysia grass and other small plants, as well as the increased availability of rice crackers provided by visitors, has contributed to the increased birth rate [3]. Additionally, reduced natural predation pressures and controlled hunting have allowed the deer population to grow [1].
The increased deer population has brought both benefits and challenges. On one hand, the tame and freely roaming deer of Nara Park have become a major cultural attraction for international visitors, contributing to the growth of cultural tourism [4]. On the other hand, the surge in deer numbers has led to an increase in safety incidents involving deer and tourists post-COVID, indicating the need for careful management of human-wildlife interactions [5].
The survey also revealed that, unfortunately, 140 deer deaths were recorded in the past year, an increase of 10 compared to the previous year [7]. The cause of death could not be determined in around half of the fatalities due to the passage of time. The highest number of traffic accidents (23) occurred on the section of National Route 369 between the Prefectural Office East Intersection and Kintetsu Nara Station [8].
Caution is advised when approaching the deer in Nara Park to prevent potential harm to them. It's important to remember that while the deer appear tame, they are wild animals and need to maintain a reasonable distance from humans for safety reasons.
The deer crackers, or shika senbei, sold in Nara Park are made from rice bran and wheat flour [9]. However, it's worth noting that the representative from the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation has suggested that the increase in foreign tourists might be raising the pregnancy rate among deer due to the availability of these crackers [1].
As Nara Park continues to attract visitors from around the world, it's crucial to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the need to maintain a safe and sustainable environment for both tourists and the deer. The deer serve as a cultural treasure that boosts tourism, yet their growing numbers require careful management to ensure visitor safety and ecological balance.
References: 1. Increased Birth Rate in Nara Park's Deer Population 2. Survey Results: Increase in Deer Population in Nara Park 3. Food Availability and Deer Reproduction 4. Deer as a Major Tourism Draw in Nara Park 5. Post-COVID Challenges in Managing Human-Wildlife Interactions 6. Number of Fawns Increases Significantly 7. Deer Deaths Rise in Nara Park 8. Traffic Accidents Involving Deer 9. Ingredients of Deer Crackers
