Nara deer, which live in Nara Park and the surrounding area in Japan, were once worshipped as messengers of gods by Kasuga Shrine in ancient times and are now designated as a National Treasure. Many tourists from all over the world visit Nara Park and are fascinated by the charismatic and sociable Nara deer that roam the park freely. Unfortunately, many deer in Nara Park are involved in automobile accidents. The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation lists the rescue and care of Nara deer as one of their services. But the reality is that there is only one veterinarian in this organization. There are over 1500 deer that live in the park and a single veterinarian treats the more than 100 deer which are injured or sick every year. More than half of these deer are seriously injured by car accidents. However, there are no other veterinarians or veterinary technicians to help.
Nara deer are hit by cars even when the veterinarian is off duty on weekends or holidays. In urgent cases, such as open fractures of more than two limbs or intestinal prolapse, the veterinarian cannot help but treat the deer on the day that the deer is taken to the shelter even though the Nara Deer Foundation says that it is not necessary because no other person in the organization can cover for the role. As a result, she essentially on duty all throughout the year, not allowing her appropriate rest or time off service.
In the face of this situation, the veterinarian at the foundation has explained the necessity of another veterinarian as well as veterinary technician for when she is off work and she has several times in the past requested the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation to increase the veterinary staff. But they have rejected her proposals. In response to these requests, the managing director of the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation said the following.
"Since Nara deer are wild animals, it is not necessary for the injured deer to get treatment by a veterinarian on weekends."
"Giving deer too much medical treatment is animal abuse."
"Whether there is a veterinarian or not on weekends does not matter for our operation."
What the Nara Deer Preservation is doing by denying these requests is far from the preservation of Nara deer. Nara deer are a huge attraction that brings people from all over the world to Nara Park and Nara Prefecture. Is it not animal abuse and neglect that seriously injured or sick deer taken to the deer shelter on weekends are left without treatment of veterinarian until Monday?
To change this situation, we urge on Nara Prefecture and the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation as follows.
It is impossible for only one veterinarian to provide care for over 1500 deer 365 days a year. It is imperative to increase professional veterinary staff to appropriately treat and care for over a hundred deer that are severely injured or ill each year. Hiring additional veterinarians and veterinary technicians is essential to provide appropriate care to the deer of Nara Park.
