See what happens when humans hand-feed wild animals? They take over the streets and roads patiently waiting for the next treat… We just kid. But seriously, while this isn’t exactly what it looks like it is, it’s very close.
The herd of Sika deer seen chilling out and wandering on the roads of the city of Nara in Japan literally has had a free pass to roam around the Nara Park for centuries, well before cars were even invented.
Why? Because they’re considered sacred “due to a visit from one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine, Takenomikazuchi-no-mikoto” who appeared riding a white deer. Interestingly, up until the end of World War II, killing one of the Sika deer carried the death penalty, though, the last time the law was enforced was in 1637.
Nowadays, the deer are designated as National Treasures and protected by the law, while also serving as a popular tourist attraction.
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