Callum the Red Deer: Scottish Authorities 'Euthanize' Celebrity Stag Over Poor Health Conditions Caused by Food from Tourists

Deer are known as herbivore wild animals that can be found in Earth's different ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, mountains, and rainforests. Being herbivores, members of the Cervidae (deer) family only eat plants, as well as algae and other natural producers of the environment. This means that a wild deer will typically choose a vegetarian diet over a carnivorous one, an animal that prefers meat.

In the past, wildlife experts have warned that feeding wild animals not only endangers them but also humans. Particularly, bears, wolves, and other large mammals, as well as reptiles can endanger a person with no proper training or equipment to feed the animals. Related cases before involved incidents where a wild animal dies. After all, experts warn that tasty human food is not always nutritious for wildlife.

One recent case happened in the United Kingdom when a famous deer, named Callum, was euthanized by Scottish authorities over the animal's poor health conditions. The popular highlands stag dubbed "Callum the red deer" is known for approaching tourists with the hope of eating their different types of snacks. However, the feeding done to Callum has been considered as the cause of his health deterioration.

Callum the Red Deer

In a recent social media post, Instagram user "robbieroams" posted a photo of him along with Callum the stag in Torridon Scotland. Citing local reports about the death of Callum through mercy killing, the uploader's caption shows the decision was carried out following expert vet advice. The specifics of the celebrity deer's health conditions remain unclear, but sources say authorities were forced to do so.

In a statement over the weekend, the National Trust for Scotland revealed they were forced to euthanize Callum the red deer over "severe health issues." The poor health conditions of the famed stag started to manifest after visitors in the area gave him food.

Is Feeding Deer Harmful?

Feeding a deer and other animals in the wild may be deemed by some people as an act of voluntary conservation effort or means to save them. However, experts say this is not always necessary since wild animals know their food and how to get them. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), feeding a deer can hurt them and potentially inflicting illness and causing death for the animal.

The WDFW stated that feeding deer in urban and suburban areas can result in "serious health issues" for the animals, emphasizing that the digestive systems of deer have evolved and adapted to process natural forage. While the said animals will eat food given by humans, proteins like carbohydrates are not part of a deer's natural diet. Even in winter, many people believe that deer need food support.

However, the Washington wildlife agency explains wild animals do not need our help when it comes to food since they can naturally survive during the winter months. Some of the measures taken by wildlife are migrating to new areas with less snow and better feed, storing fat in their bodies, and conserving energy through movement restrictions.