WATCH the moment two of Knowsley Safari Park's Père David’s deer lock antlers in one of nature’s most dramatic displays to attract females.
On Wednesday, July 11, the Prescot park will welcome evening visitors on their annual Rut Watch event.
This rarely seen, natural event, will be explained as a unique display of male dominance takes place in the battle for female attention.
Originally from China, Père David’s deer are extinct in the wild. The rut is a key event in their life cycle.
Visitors will see the stags as they’ve never seen them before, sizing each other up and sparring.
Mature stags with the largest antlers utilise their bulk and impressive headwear to intimidate the competition - they also call out to compete to be the loudest male.
Although the younger males tend to stay back, they still spar with each other for practice.
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