First photos show returning Greenwich Park deer

The first photographs of deer in Greenwich Park have been released a month after their return to the south-east London park.

Greenwich Park's herd of eight fallow and red deer returned in May after being relocated to Richmond Park four years ago so they were not disturbed during the building and renovation of community facilities.

The Royal Parks said the female deer would be more difficult to spot during the upcoming mating season.

Tom Stanier, park officer at Greenwich Park, said: "The deer are shy, anxious creatures. They like privacy. They like their little safe spaces."

He added: "You have to stop and take stock of how elegant these creatures are and how wild - they're not used to interactions with humans.

"It's wonderful. It's such a pleasure to be able to walk through a paddock. It's reinvigorating, it's a magical experience."

The herd's new home has access to nearby woodland and the natural habitat and has been enhanced with wildflower planting "to support wildlife, including birds and pollinators", according to the Royal Parks.

Several deer remain in Richmond Park to diversify the herd's gene pool.

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