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The antlers of Japanese deer, which males (bucks) shed and regrow annually, have long been revered as symbols of strength and good fortune. During the mating season in autumn, these bucks are known to clash their antlers over females.
Tragically, in October, a man in Kyoto Prefecture was fatally gored by a buck. Experts note that deer are typically timid creatures. They suggest, “It may have been a combination of unfortunate circumstances.” Nonetheless, wild deer populations are on the rise across the country, highlighting the need for increased vigilance.
Mysterious Death in Fukuchiyama
On the night of October 9, a resident of Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto, called the police. They were worried about their neighbor, who had not returned from farming. According to the Fukuchiyama Police Station, a 68-year-old man went out alone to cut grass that afternoon. His car was also spotted near his rice fields.
Police and firefighters began their search. Around 8:10 PM, they found a man bleeding from his upper body in the rice fields. He was already deceased, with a stab wound to his chest extending near his heart.
Gored by a Deer?
News of the man’s shocking death spread on the evening of October 10. Fukuchiyama police stated that an account from a firefighter supported the “deer attack theory.” The firefighter reported that a deer with antlers fled the scene shortly after the discovery.
No one witnessed the moment of the attack, but investigators found animal hair on the man’s clothing. They also discovered deer tracks nearby. Although a deer-proof fence surrounds the rice fields, experts think the deer entered through one of the two access points.
Mating Season Risks
“It’s unusual, but it can happen this time of year,” says Associate Professor Maki Yamamoto of Nagaoka University of Technology. Yamamoto specializes in animal behavior. According to Yamamoto, deer enter their mating season from late September to November. During this period, they sharpen their hardened antlers by rubbing them against trees and become particularly aggressive.
Similar incidents in the past have also occurred during the mating season.
In October 2023, a man was discovered collapsed at a deer breeding facility in Iinan Town, Shimane Prefecture. He later died at the hospital. Blood was found on the antlers of the buck he was tending, indicating he may have been attacked. A similar incident occurred in October 2002 in Oshika Town, Miyagi Prefecture (now Ishinomaki). A man approached a buck caught in a deer-proof net in an attempt to free it. However, the deer gored him with its antlers, and the man succumbed to severe blood loss.
“Deer are generally quite timid and are not animals that attack,” says Yamamoto. However, wild animals like deer are most active during the early morning and evening. It is not uncommon to encounter them if you go into farmland without making any noise.
If you encounter an aggressive buck with antlers, experts strongly advise finding cover or lying down. Taking this posture can help reduce the chances of being attacked.
Deer Population Surge
Deer populations are increasing nationwide, leading to social issues and crop damage. According to the Ministry of the Environment, the distribution area of deer expanded approximately 2.7 times over the 40 years from 1978 to 2018. This growth is attributed to their strong reproductive capacity and ability to feed on a variety of plants. Another factor is the decline in hunters.
How can we effectively prepare for encounters with wild animals like deer in agricultural areas, as demonstrated in this incident? Yamamoto emphasizes, “Animals have a remarkable ability to learn. It is crucial to install fences that are tailored to the terrain, climate, and specific wildlife in the region.”
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Authors: Ryosuke Irizawa, Amane Mori, staff writers, The Sankei Shimbun