Editing Richmond Park (section)

===Wildlife===

Originally created for deer hunting, Richmond Park now has 630 [[Red deer|red]] and [[fallow deer]]<ref name= "TRP Deer">{{cite web|url= https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/richmond-park/deer-richmond-park|title= Deer in Richmond Park|publisher= [[The Royal Parks]]|access-date= 14 February 2024}}</ref> that roam freely within much of the park. A cull takes place each November and February to ensure numbers can be sustained;<ref name="Deer cull begins">{{cite news | url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10026864.richmond-park-deer-cull-begins/| title=Richmond Park deer cull begins | work=Wandsworth Guardian | date=5 November 2012 | access-date=27 December 2023| author=Rachel Bishop | location=London}}</ref> about 200 deer are culled annually and the meat is sold to licensed game dealers.<ref name="Rutter">{{Cite news |url=https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/17393173.deer-killed-in-two-richmond-parks-net-more-than-250000-from-luxury-game-dealer-in-past-five-years/ |title=Deer killed in two Richmond parks net more than £250,000 from luxury game dealer in past five years |author=Calum Rutter|date=29 January 2019 |work=[[Richmond and Twickenham Times]] |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="Culling">{{Cite news |url=http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15449347.Richmond_Park_under_the_spotlight_as_cash_made_by_deer_culling_is_revealed/ |title=Richmond Park under the spotlight after FOI reveals profits made after deer culling |date=2 August 2017 |work=[[Richmond and Twickenham Times]] |access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref> Some deer are also killed in road accidents, through ingesting litter such as small items of plastic, or by dogs.

The park is an important refuge for other wildlife, including [[woodpecker]]s, [[squirrel]]s, [[rabbit]]s, [[snake]]s, [[frog]]s, [[toad]]s, [[stag beetle]]s and many other [[insect]]s plus numerous ancient trees and varieties of [[fungi]]. It is particularly notable for its rare beetles.<ref name=NNR/>

Richmond Park supports a large population of [[rose-ringed parakeet|ring-necked parakeets]]. These bred from birds that escaped or were freed from captivity.<ref name="McCarthy">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/parakeets-cause-problems-for-british-wildlife-2165449.html | title=Parakeets cause problems for British wildlife | work=[[The Independent]] | date=20 December 2010 | access-date=3 February 2015 | author=Michael McCarthy}}</ref>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines heights=180 widths=220>
File:Stag and Skylark Richmond Park.JPG|[[Red deer]] stag and [[starling]]
File:Psittacula krameri -Richmond Park, London, England-8.jpg|A female [[rose-ringed parakeet|ring-necked parakeet]]
File:Corvus_monedula_grass_cropped.jpg|[[Western jackdaw|Jackdaw]]
</gallery>