Stray Deer Possibly From Nara Captured in Osaka, Moved to Campsite After Not Allowed to Move to Nara

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:14 JST, March 28, 2026

Stray deer possibly from Nara Prefecture, which is known for its deer which are designated as a national natural monument, have been found in Osaka since mid-March. After Nara Prefecture said it could not take them to Nara Park, one of the deer was moved on Friday to a campsite in Nose, northwestern Osaka Prefecture.

At least two deer were spotted roaming around a residential area in Osaka in mid-March, and one of them was caught on Wednesday.

The deer had possibly walked all the way from Nara Park. The Osaka city government and Nara prefectural government discussed whether the deer could be taken to Nara.

According to Nara Prefecture, although the deer in Nara Park are designated as a national natural monument, once the animal leaves the designated area in Nara City, they are considered wild animals, just like boars or bears. As part of this thinking, Nara Gov. Makoto Yamashita said it is difficult to accept them saying that they cannot “release a wild animal” into Nara Prefecture.