The Sacred Sika Deer at Nara are almost as famous and popular as the temples, and with the younger kids more so.

Like Kitsuni (sacred foxes) Sika are regarded as messengers of the Shinto gods.

The let you know, in no uncertain manner that they expect such pampering as befits their position.

That said quite a few are still killed each year in road accidents around Nara and each death is newsworthy enough to be in the papers