The deer of Nara Park have distinct genetics that have been preserved for more than a thousand years, thanks to their protected status as sacred animals. The wild sika deer of Nara Park are considered sacred. They have been protected for a thousand years in areas around shrines, where hunting is forbidden. Recently, a study by researchers from Fukushima University found that thanks to this religious protection (and isolation), the deer in Nara Park have a unique genetic lineage that differs from

According to local folklore, the deer of Nara Park are considered sacred—their presence adds to the serenity of the divine landscape they've chosen to graze. http://on.natgeo.com/2Ie96oa | National Geographic Travel