A stag was shot dead in Richmond Park after it injured a man, a reminder to Canadian and American tourists of the risks of feeding wildlife in public parks.
A stag has been put down after it was deemed a "danger to visitors" following an incident that left a man in his 60s injured while picnicking in a London park.
Police were called by the London Ambulance Service shortly before 6.30pm on Saturday after reports that a man had been injured by a stag in Richmond Park.
The man, who is in his 60s, was taken to hospital, where his injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing, police said.
The Royal Parks said the stag had approached the man, who was part of a group having a picnic, in search of food.
Royal Parks' wildlife policy
Following the incident, the animal's behaviour was considered to pose a danger to other visitors and the decision was taken to put it down.
The stag was shot by a Royal Parks wildlife officer, the charity said.
The incident comes after repeated warnings from the Royal Parks urging visitors not to approach, touch or feed deer, stressing that the animals are wild and can be dangerous.
These warnings have been stepped up after footage emerged showing people attempting to feed and stroke deer in London's parks.
Visitors are told to maintain at least a 50-metre distance from the deer, which roam freely around the park, at all times.
Visitor safety guidelines
Extra caution is needed especially during birthing season (May to July) when mothers become protective of their fawns and rutting season (September to November) when stags clash and are highly aggressive.
Canadian and American travelers should note that similar deer-related incidents have occurred in North American parks, where animals can lose their natural wariness of people.
In Canada's Banff National Park, authorities have issued comparable advisories after deer approached picnickers.
The incident underscores the importance of following local wildlife guidelines wherever you travel.
A spokesperson for Royal Parks said on Monday: "We understand from the police that thankfully the injuries were not life-threatening. "Sadly, the stag's behaviour meant that it had to be put down as it was deemed to be a danger to visitors. "We suspect that this particular stag may have learnt to associate visitors with food. "If visitors follow our advice and do not feed or interfere with the deer, it is highly unlikely that they will exhibit this type of behaviour."
The organization added that anyone who witnesses risky behaviour should report it to police immediately.
Richmond Park traces its origins to 1625, when Charles I took his court to nearby Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a hunting park.
It is popular with joggers and cyclists and is home to a 600-strong herd of red and fallow deer.
Nearby Bushy Park, which is more than 1,000 acres in size, also hosts deer.