Images of Sika deer that inhabit the south of the Forest. The Sika deer is an import from Asia and there has been a small herd in the New Forest since the early 20th century when some escaped from a private collection. Unfortunately, they are capable of inter breeding with our native Red but fortunately the main electrified railway line bisects the Forest, keeping Sika to the south of it and Red to the north. Often solitary but sometimes in small herds, they can be elusive to photograph. One word of warning, stags (males) have been known to charge especially when they are fueled with testosterone during their autumn rut – keep your distance. I always think that they have a bit of an evil look about them.
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