Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time, and it was so today when dad and I managed to photograph what looks like a pair of young deer in Carlisle.
Standing not more than 150m away, and no more than 800m from a main road into the City, the animals seemed calm and were enjoying some afternoon food.
We are going to keep the exact location secret so we can to protect the pair of animals but I think I can say it is close to the River Eden around one mile from the market cross in the city centre.
This is the first time I have seen wild deer, although I have possibly picked up their trail many times whilst out for a walk not knowing what it was.
Wild deer in Carlisle
Much speculation has been made in both the national and local press about the mythical beasts of Cumbria, so can the puzzle now be solved, at least in North Cumbria?
According to the local newspaper, The News and Star, over 24 unusual animal sightings have been reported to Police in the past five years from around the county. Many of these reports indicate people seeing big cats and panther like animals.
Sadly we only managed one image before the animals made off quickly into dense undergrowth. To my eyes they look like young deer with their long noses and stout figures.
Given my limited animal knowledge I do not know which of the six deer species normally found in the UK they are. However, if you know please say via the comments area below.
Animals in Carlisle
Sadly the only other information we can find relating to wild deer in city is one involving the discovery of a dead animal in 2009. It had reportedly been skinned and left to rot on a riverbank. Hence why I am not saying where we took the photograph.
Given that we are so close to the vast forests of Keilder, Galloway and those in the Lake District I could easy speculate that more are living nearby. They just have not been spotted and recorded.
So to find two animals looking, to the untrained eye, as fit and healthy is great news.
This sighting, and it’s proximity to Carlisle City Centre, will no doubt be great news to the many organisations promoting wild animal life and conservation along the length of the River Eden.
Until next time from a very excited boy.
Licks and wags
Charlie
Some of the organisations involved in wildlife along the River Eden include: