In most of the world, we expect wild animals to keep to themselves and stay off our roads. If they don't, we either wall them out or in some more extreme cases treat the as pests and kill them. Not so in Asia, where fauna has more freedom to rome and do as it pleases, as is the case with cows and monkeys in India.
So what about Japan, what's the animal they treasure and allow to do as it pleases? In the city of Nara, it's the spotted deer, as you're about to see in the next video. In and amongst the little kei cars and the electric vehicles , a whole horde of deer is making its presence felt.
The reason? Probably food. According to local legends, the god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijo-kyo. As a result, they're considered holy animals, protectors of the emperor and the country, so nobody dares to bother them.
The Sika Deer, Cervus nippon, is a special breed that native to this corner of the world and easily distinguished thanks to its white spots. In 1880, a public park was established in the city of Nara. Covering about 600 hectares, it's home to over 1,200 animals that are allowed to roam freely. We asked around, and learned that no, there's no road sign for "attention, heavenly deer crossing the road" in Japan.
The reason? Probably food. According to local legends, the god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijo-kyo. As a result, they're considered holy animals, protectors of the emperor and the country, so nobody dares to bother them.
The Sika Deer, Cervus nippon, is a special breed that native to this corner of the world and easily distinguished thanks to its white spots. In 1880, a public park was established in the city of Nara. Covering about 600 hectares, it's home to over 1,200 animals that are allowed to roam freely. We asked around, and learned that no, there's no road sign for "attention, heavenly deer crossing the road" in Japan.