Meeting new fawns

From mid-May through June is delivery season of deer.  

I went out to meet newly born fawn at Roku-en (Deer Shelter) in Nara Park. 

The place is within the grove of the Kasuga Grand Shrine.

At this den, a part of Roku-en, some of pregnant deer, mothers and fawns 

are open to the public throughout June from 11:00 to 14:00.

The gate under the stand leads to more spacious Roku-en including Fawn Shelter.

Pregnant deer, mothers, and fawns are sheltered temporarily at the Fawn Shelter 

to avoid troubles between people and deer.  

Mother deer can become quite aggressive to protect their babies and could attack people 

while if their babies are touched by people, mothers tend to neglect or reject babies due to human scent.  

(Injured deer and deer with poor health are also sheltered at the Roku-en. 

When they recover, they go back to Nara Park.)

About 200 does will give birth this season.

A newly born fawn stands on its own in 15 minutes to an hour after birth 

and suckles mother’s milk for the first time. 

Mothers feed babies a few times a day. 

Generally mothers can recognize their babies by scent and voice but babies hardly can.

Right after birth, fawns spend their most of their time hiding themselves in the bushes 
or behind objects to avoid being seen by predators. 

In the den, several blocks are placed for them to hide themselves. 

The fawns come out a few times of a day to drink their mother’s milk. 

This block is so packed.  Whose mother are you?

When the baby below came to rest here, the place was in the shade, but not now.  

Some mothers put their babies into the block right after giving birth 

but his/her mother doesn't seem to have done so.  

Isn't it hot there?
Stand up and walk several steps, and you'll be in the shade.

This baby's hiding place is here.

Mothers and fawns will be released to Nara Park in July, from when babies’ wild life start. 

In November last year, I found this fawn seemingly hiding in the bush.

Deer in Nara Park are wild animals.

People have responsibility for the warning to avoid troubles.

135 traffic accidents of deer in 2014 is alarming.

Most of the reasons is being chased by people or dogs or jumping into the road 

when deer see people with food on the other roadside.

I feel bitter when people are forgetting dogs are natural enemies to deer.

I'm so grateful to all the staffs of Shika Aigo Kyokai (Foundation for the Protection of Deer in Nara), 

who spare no efforts for the coexistence of people and deer.

On my way back from the den, I met a herd of deer devouring fresh leaves from the cut branches. 

Deer eat grass, leaves, nuts, flower petals, and the likes.

 You can buy and give them Deer crackers as their snacks.

Deer crackers are healthy food made of rice bran.

Don't give them something spicy, sweet, or fatty, please.

Rainy season set in the other day.
The floral symbols of Japanese rainy season, hydrangeas and irises,
are already in bloom much earlier than usual.
Viewing these flowers or meeting adorable fawns would be one of the refreshing pastime
during the rainy season.

See you!

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