"Just let the deer be deer in their home and let the wildlife stay wild."
Families are being warned about feeding the deer in Phoenix Park.
Research has found that feeding the deer is actually causing more harm than good.
According to UCD student
Laura Griffin, the food people are giving them is like "junk food for the deer."
The PHD student, who has been studying the deer for four years, said that people are giving the deer extremely damaging food.
"We have seen them be fed bread. We have seen them being fed chocolate, biscuits, crisps, popcorn. Even sandwiches with chicken and ham in them are being fed to the deer- all of which should not be fed to them," she warned.
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Families may think they're being kind by feeding the deer, but they're actually putting their health at risk. You can still admire them from a distance and respect their habitat.
The park has warned visitors to never feed the deer, but so many families continue to do so.
“People love the deer, and while they could be bringing in carrots, apples, oats and they think this is part of the deers’ natural diet, but it’s not. Especially not in the quantity they are getting,” Griffin added.
Feeding the deer can cause gastrointestinal issues and being too close to them can cause extreme stress, especially for mothers when their fawns are only small.
The best thing you can do is keep 50m away from the deer. Respecting their natural habitat is the best thing we can do for both their health and wellbeing.
"Just let the deer be deer in their home and let the wildlife stay wild."
