The second bi-annual deer cull is taking place in Richmond and Bushy Parks.

Stags are culled in February, and does in November.

This means walkers are not able to use the pedestrian gates past 8pm, which are usually open 24 hours a day.

Royal Parks says the culls are necessary to “keep herds at a sustainable size” and to prevent malnutrition.

A Royal Parks spokeswoman said: “Without population control, food would become scarce and more animals would ultimately suffer.

“There would also be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition, high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter and a build-up of parasites and diseases in deer.”

The Royal Parks is a member of the British Deer Society, and both the society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales “fully endorse humane culling”.

After the cull, the meat is sold to licensed game dealers and all the money is reinvested into caring for its herds.

She added: “It must be stressed we do not undertaken commercial deer farming, and as such the meat is not labelled as Royal Parks when it is sold to the consumer.”