The Deer

When newspapers last year reported a killing of a stag in Exmoor, there were fierce reactions of horror. Even though deer can cause huge damage to forests, people are transfixed by their beauty and majesty. We have read about them in literature and seen haunting images of Bambi in the cinema. They represent something majestic, yet vulnerable and are a unique part of the British landscape.
The poet and writer Ruth Padel begins a series of Essays exploring our reactions to 5 British wild animals, by investigating how our reactions to deer have been subconsciously shaped by centuries of folklore, literature and biology. She charts the history of the deer's links with royalty, traces the evolution of the different species in this country and explores the potency of the image of antlers.

Producer: Emma Kingsley.