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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Culture & Society

Tourist's Attempt to Ride Injured Nara Deer Sparks Outrage

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A tourist in Nara, Japan, has sparked outrage by attempting to ride a deer that had a previously fractured leg.
  • The incident, captured on video, shows the woman persistently trying to sit on the deer despite its resistance.
  • Online users and volunteers have condemned the act as animal abuse, calling for the perpetrators' arrest.

A tourist in Nara, Japan, has drawn widespread condemnation after attempting to ride a deer that was previously injured. The incident, which occurred recently, has ignited public anger and calls for stricter animal protection measures in the popular tourist destination.

This is abuse. It is not permissible to treat an animal that is trying hard to live despite a fractured leg.

โ€” Nara no Shika no Tsunokaku Tashi (Volunteer)A volunteer who cares for the deer revealed the animal's prior injury, condemning the tourist's actions.

Video footage circulating online shows a woman, dressed in a white sundress, repeatedly trying to sit on the back of a deer. A man is seen assisting her by filming the encounter. Despite the deer's attempts to resist and move away, the woman persisted in her efforts to mount it.

Such abusive behavior cannot be tolerated. The police should arrest them.

โ€” NetizenComment from an online user reacting to the incident.

Adding to the public's distress, volunteers familiar with the local deer population revealed that the specific deer targeted had a pre-existing injury. It had previously suffered a fractured front leg due to a traffic accident and was still recovering. This detail intensified the backlash, with many labeling the woman's actions as unforgivable abuse.

This is not how you should treat messengers of the gods. I hope they face divine retribution.

โ€” NetizenComment from an online user expressing anger and disbelief.

Online comments flooded social media platforms, with users expressing outrage and demanding immediate action. Many called for the police to arrest the individuals involved, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable towards the sacred deer of Nara, which are considered messengers of the gods and are protected under Japan's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Some comments also warned of potential consequences, including disease transmission from the deer to the tourist.

Riding a deer in a nature reserve is illegal! Arrest them immediately!

โ€” NetizenComment from an online user demanding legal action.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.