Scientists warn that feeding deer can have harmful effects.
A new study by UCD has found that feeding deer in the Phoenix Park changes their behaviour for the worse.
They're warning that future generations of the animal could start harassing the public for food.
A dependency on human feeding could also lead to heavier fawns being reared.
Over 10 million people use the Phoenix Park in Dublin every year.
The trend of people feeding wild animals such as deer has been linked to the artificial selection of "harassment behaviour" in some species, putting the safety of both humans and wildlife at risk, a new study has found. | @eimer_mcauley reportshttps://t.co/pJmbK0XhrV
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) August 5, 2022
Visitors to the park have been consistently warned not to interact with the animals.
The lead author of the study, Laura Griffin, warns of the consequences.
"A lot of people that I've interacted with in the park don't realise the negative impact that could be had."
"They think that these actions are benign, or maybe even that they're giving them a treat."
"At the end of the day you have to think, it's not just yourself that's doing this."
"It's loads of people every day."
