Nara is a public park established in 1300, and is also one of the oldest parks in Japan. The park area is very large, about 502 hectares, extending about 4 km from east to west, and about 2 km from south to north. The park is home to about 1,200 deer, a sacred symbol, a great treasure of the city. Deer in the park have a sacred meaning, associated with the gods.
This year, visitors are being urged to follow deer sign language if they want to feed the animals. Park officials have put up signs in Japanese, English, and Chinese instructing tourists and locals on how to properly feed the deer without angering them.
As for approaching these wild animals, visitors should give them the cake immediately. In addition, when the animal has finished eating, visitors should spread both hands to let the animal know that the food is gone. These signs are placed right at the cake stalls. The signs also clearly state that children must be accompanied by an adult.
“They are wild animals and will get angry if they are teased. For example, if you try to hold them while they are eating, you might get bitten,” said Yuichiro Kitabata, head of Nara Park.
Ngoc Anh (According to DailyMail)
