Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox is setting the record straight about the deer pen in Island Park, which has been a beloved part of the community for decades.
“There has been some misinformation going around, so let’s clear it up,” Knox says in a recent social media post. “This pen has been a part of our community for decades, and right now four deer are living here.”
She notes the pen hasn’t seen new fawns in several years.
“It’s been over five years since the last fawn was born, and we don’t expect any more breeding. Deer can live up to 20 years, so over time the numbers will naturally decline,” Knox adds.
The first deer were introduced to the park in the early 1900s, and over time, the enclosures expanded to include multiple species.
At its peak, the park reportedly housed up to 40 deer, and even llamas made a temporary appearance in the pen decades ago.
Knox continues that the type of deer in the pen is still somewhat of a mystery.
“Some sources say they’re chital deer, which are native to the Indian subcontinent, while others say they’re fallow deer, a species that originated in Europe and the Middle East and has been around since Paleolithic times.”
She remarks that the pen is kept in a natural state for the health and well-being of the animals. “Just to be clear, the Winnipeg Zoo has nothing to do with our deer pen,” Knox mentions.
City staff are also planning maintenance work.
“You may notice a few downed trees inside this area. Those will be cleaned up this winter,” Knox adds.
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