The saga of the Ormonde Road deer rumbles on.
Oki, as the deer has been affectionately named online, has been wreaking havoc with allotmenteers’ produce at the site since becoming separated from its herd in May.
A suggestion to shoot the deer was met with fierce opposition, with an online petition to save the deer amassing more than 160,000 signatures from around the world.
Reports early this week suggested that a group of growers from the allotment, along with a town councillor, had successfully herded the deer off the site, but Oki has now returned.
Wokingham Town Council clerk Jan Nowecki said today (Wednesday): “Unfortunately I have to report that the deer has returned and we are now exploring our next steps.”
Earlier in the week, the council reported that the deer had not been seen for several days.
Cllr Mark Ashwell said in a statement on Tuesday: “It was never the intention of Wokingham Town Council to shoot her and over a number of months we have sought expert advice and been working to resolve the situation for both the deer and our allotment tenants.”
The council had sought the help and advice of Hampshire-based Marwell Zoo, Beale Park, the RSPCA and the British Deer Society, as well as animal protection organisations such as the Wildlife Aid Trust, Hillside Animal Sanctuary and Hydestyle Resident Animals, all of which have years of experience working with deer.
With that advice in mind, the council has looked to encourage the deer to move on to a more suitable habitat.
The council also said that it is actively working to secure the site with deer-proof fencing to provide a longer term solution.
