By: Alex
Feeding wild animals should generally be avoided, but does the idea that evenly distributing food can prevent “rude treatment” seem a bit naive or overly idealistic? Recently, Taiwanese influencer Vicky Chen complained on social media about her experience feeding deer in Nara, Japan. She claimed she fed every deer, yet still “got mobbed, bitten, and knocked around by the herd.” One deer even bit at her skirt, nearly exposing her, leaving her “terrified.”
▲ A Taiwanese influencer was left terrified after feeding deer in Nara, Japan. (photo by katniss1014 @IG)
Netizens who have fed deer in Nara shared their experiences, saying things like, “When you have crackers in your hand, a bunch of deer will surround you and might even bump your butt, but some are cute and will thank you afterward,” and “If you have nothing, raise your hands high—they’ll leave (that’s what the tour guide taught us).” However, some netizens took pleasure in her misfortune: “The deer have great taste,” “Those deer know quality,” “That’s normal behavior for a male deer,” and “They don’t want the deer crackers, they want the girl.” On the other hand, many praised the photographer’s skills: “Whoever took these photos deserves credit!” “The expressions captured are classic,” and “The photographer timed the shots perfectly.”
▲ Visitors can easily buy deer crackers at nearby small stalls. (photo by sakana_kuma @IG)
Nara Park in Japan is often frequented by a group of wild deer that are not only unafraid of humans but also frequently use their antlers to nudge visitors or bump their bottoms to beg for food. Tourists can easily purchase deer crackers (snacks for deer) from nearby stalls. Since deer crackers usually come with little to no packaging, the deer are drawn by the smell. Therefore, visitors should be cautious when feeding them and avoid “teasing” the deer to prevent incidents of “deer attacking people.”
▲ (photo by kj_t515 @IG)
▲ (photo by aoisoraf80 @IG)
▲ (photo by aoisoraf80 @IG)
▲ (photo by aoisoraf80 @IG)
▲ (photo by queenbee.n.y.t.t @IG)
▲ Every year around late July to early August, deer in Nara gather in large numbers near the Nara National Museum. The exact reason remains unclear. (photo by i_masanao @IG)
▲ (photo by richard_kei @IG)
▲ (photo by michitary @IG)
▲ (photo by maico.nara @IG)
Source: Vicky Chen