Supporting the deer in the Royal Parks

For hundreds of years, deer herds have roamed the historic landscapes of Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich Parks. The bloodline of the herd in Greenwich can be traced back to the original herd introduced by Henry VIII in 1510.

Richmond and Bushy Parks have around 1,000 red and fallow deer and for many they symbolise a rural haven within London, allowing visitors to feel as if they are in the heart of the countryside.

The deer also shape the character of the Parks. As they graze, they maintain the open swathes of land by nibbling at new seedlings and preserve the precious acid grassland habitat for a multitude of other species.

The deer are dependent on careful monitoring and professional management by Royal Parks’ wildlife specialists. This includes:

• winter feed – a supplementary diet of hay, vitamins and minerals
• veterinary costs
• production and installation of “tree cradles” that protect young trees from the deer, without restricting the freedom of the herds.

Artemis are our Principal Deer Conservation Partner and their generous support has made it possible to care for, and conserve, the deer of the Royal Parks, at time when additional funding for our wildlife has been vital.

Their support also helps to maintain the Greenwich deer hide, which offers inner-city children and community groups the opportunity to observe and learn about the deer and other aspects of the natural world.