Famous deer is slaughtered after hikers fed it croissants

A deer made famous on social media had to be euthanized after being fed junk food by walkers.

Callum, described as a “well-known character” in the North West Scottish Highlandshad to be euthanized after developing health problems.

The animal’s willingness to approach visitors in the hotel’s parking lot Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve and eating out of its hands made it a popular attraction for those on the North Coast 500 route and earned the creature online celebrity status.

Videos posted on YouTube show Callum being fed croissants and Rice Krispies, as well as healthier snacks such as strawberries and apples.

But after the National Trust for Scotland announced that he had been forced to euthanize Callum, locals expressed concern that his access to snacks was to blame for his deteriorating health.

They claim that being fed the wrong types of food caused Callum’s teeth to rot and meant he struggled to eat in the colder months.

Highlands journalist Iona MacDonald told the BBC that the deer depended on locals to feed them in winter.

“Callum was a well-known character to tourists and locals alike,” she said, adding that, “after being fed by tourists for some time, it seemed he became quite dependent on that food source.”

A spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland said: “We are sad to say that, following the advice of a specialist veterinarian, Callum the deer, which was frequently found in the car park in Torridonhad to be humanely repressed.

“We know that many in the community, and visitors alike, will be sorry to hear this.

“As a conservation charity we take our animal welfare responsibilities seriously and the advice was that this was the kindest option.”

Callum’s fans were saddened by the news – with Highland historian Andrew Grant McKenzie describing the deer as a “local legend”.

“Sad news that Callum will no longer be in the Beinn Eighe car park, but I have no doubt that the vet’s advice was for welfare reasons and Callum’s condition has worsened in recent years,” said McKenzie.

“The issue of people feeding wildlife comes up regularly in the Highlands and Callum’s popularity should serve as a way of communicating the message that we should be careful about our interaction with the natural world.”

But he added: “There is no doubt that Callum lived a long and long life for a deer.”

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