Yezo Deer Spotted with Rope Tangled Around Antlers in Akkeshi, Hokkaido

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:59 JST, March 23, 2026

KUSHIRO, Hokkaido — At least two yezo deer are confirmed to have a rope tangled around their antlers in Akkeshi, Hokkaido, with one of them observed in the central part of the town on Sunday.

“If you approach one trying to untangle the rope, there’s a risk the deer will lash out, so we want people to just watch over them quietly,” the town government said.

Yezo deer with ropes and other things tangled around their antlers are a frequent sight in the town.

According to the Hokkaido prefectural government, the yezo deer population in Hokkaido was estimated to have reached about 730,000 at the end of fiscal 2024.

Every year, there are reports of the deer getting tangled in fishing nets, home garden nets and other things.

The deer’s antlers fall off in spring and regrow each year.