Stray deer captured in Osaka

A deer was captured in the western Japanese city of Osaka on Wednesday after sightings were reported.

The deer had been spotted in residential areas and a park in the city since Saturday. It was found in the grounds of a police facility in Joto Ward on Wednesday.

City officials and police lured the animal into a cage with bait. The city says the deer is in temporary custody at an animal control center.

Osaka Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki told reporters that the deer is safe, and that a facility in Osaka Prefecture indicated it will take in the animal.

The mayor said the city has no plans to cull it.

Nara Prefecture was contacted because the deer is believed to have come from Nara Park, some 30 kilometers away, where deer throng.

Nara Governor Yamashita Makoto said that after reviewing relevant laws and regulations, it was determined that deer leaving areas such as Nara Park are treated as wild animals rather than natural monuments, and therefore it would be difficult for the prefecture to accept it. He also said that in principle, a deer caught in Osaka should be released there.

The Osaka mayor said the city will respect decisions made by municipalities. Yokoyama said Osaka welcomes guests but people’s safety is the most important thing. He said he doesn’t want any more deer to come to Osaka.