Moment aggressive stag robs picnickers of their lunches

Amid warm sunshine, a peaceful riverbank in one of London‘s great parks seemed the ideal location for a family picnic.

But the group, which included a young toddler, quickly had to scarper, abandoning the food and even their pushchair after being rudely interrupted by a hungry stag in Richmond Park, South West London.

The woman managed to clamber over a fence and was passed the infant by the man, who followed them to safety.

Meanwhile, the creature – who had worked up an appetite from rutting season activity – moved in to devour the meal.

Two women picnicking nearby were also gatecrashed by a stag, which walked on to their picnic blanket to investigate what tasty treats he could find.

An aggressive stag is pictured stealing a picnicker’s lunch in Richmond Park, South West London

The Royal Parks, which run Richmond Park, advise people to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the deer. (Pictured a family stands behind a fence after the stag stole a picnic)

Deer clash antlers during the rutting season in Richmond Park last week

A deer stag barks as the annual rutting season begins in Richmond Park

A stag and a doe in Richmond Park as the red deer mating season, known as the rut, begins 

A deer stag wallows in mud as the annual rutting season begins, during above average seasonal temperatures, in Richmond Park

The park is currently home to around 630 deer, which have been allowed to roam free in the park since 1637. (A stag stands in Richmond Park)

Some people attempted to get close to the stags to pet or photograph them while visiting the park on Thursday.

But the British Deer Society warned people to take care and not to get too close, especially during the rutting season, which runs until November.

In advice to park visitors, the society said: ‘Unlike truly wild deer, which will avoid humans wherever possible, park deer are used to human presence and will tolerate it, so it may be tempting to get too close in search of a photograph or a special encounter.

‘Even park deer, which are very used to humans, are wild animals and during the rut, the stags and bucks have sharp and dangerous antlers and are likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviour.

‘Rutting stags, in particular, are often pumped up with testosterone, and you could be putting yourself at risk. There have been a number of cases where visitors to parks have suffered injuries which might have been avoided.’

The Royal Parks, which run Richmond Park, advise people to keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the deer.

The park is currently home to around 630 deer, which have been allowed to roam free in the park since 1637 and are essential to maintain the parkland and prevent tree growth.