Sika deer spotted swimming in Christchurch

Sue Brick, from Christchurch, was walking along Bridge Street with her husband just after 10am on Tuesday, August 9. 

But their walk was interrupted by a rather en-deer-ing sight, when she spotted a sika deer frolicking in the River Avon. 

Sue said: “We were walking in Bridge Street in Christchurch near the bridges and suddenly my husband said ‘Oh my God, there’s a deer!’. 

Sika deer in Christchurch

“It was on an island of greenery. I was wondering how on earth it could get there. It then disappeared behind a willow tree and came back out, stepped into the water and started swimming.  

“It went swimming down to the opposite side of the bridge towards Mudeford.” 

“Apparently, sika deer do swim. But it seemed so amazing. It was 10.15 in the morning in Christchurch town centre, you’d think it would be there at 5am when it’s quieter. 

“I have never seen deer in that part of Christchurch. They’re usually so shy. 

Sika deer in Christchurch

“A couple of people said they’ve also seen deer nearby. Maybe it was cooling off from the sun.” 

When asked if the deer’s swim was as graceful and elegant as Bambi, Sue said: “Well, it was sort of doggy paddling... maybe you’d call it a deer paddle.” 

Sika deer were introduced to Brownsea Island in 1896, but it wasn’t long until they swam across the harbour over to Poole and colonised parts of Dorset.  

Sika deer in Christchurch

Their numbers are so high now they could jeopardise other native species. 

They can grow up to 120cm tall, weigh up to 60kg and have a lifespan of about 15 years. 

Sika deer can also be found in Weymouth and the New Forset and they are not naturally aggressive species, apart from in the autumn when it’s rutting season.