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Deer and Fences in Akan
Mr Sakino stand on the opposite side of the special deer gate in the protective fence keeping deer off the highway. Deer can escape the highway but are unable to return throught gate. 99.09.26/ Temperature: 16C/ Weather: Partly Cloudy/ Wind Direction: NE
Start: Akan Town Line
Destination: Intersection of highway 240 and 241
Latitude: 43 26 30N/Longitude: 144 01 30E
Distance Traveled: 23 kmTyphoon #18 changed its course and missed Akan National Park. Not hit directly Lake Akan was only subject to extremely high winds yesterday. Today, the effects of the typhoon resided but strong winds remained. It was refreshing to start off walking in the fresh cool breeze.
Since I entered Akan National Park I have noticed quite a difference in the behavior of deer here and those I encountered in Shiretoko (See Wisdom Report#005). In Shiretoko, car, bus, or even camera wielding tourists did not frighten the deer. Since I have been in Akan I have seen many deer as well, but not a single one has wandered over looking for food or glanced for more than a second with curiosity. Actually once they all have become aware of my presence, they have sprinted off into the fields-a very natural reaction due to the fact that hunting is allowed here.
This observation reminded that in Shiretoko, I was told about the deer inside the wildlife preserve) being very "domesticated," but that deer located outside of the preserve area tended to be more wary of humans. My first reaction was one of confusion. I assumed that those inside the preserve would have a better habitat, be free, healthy, and natural. Apparently this isn't always the case. The deer in the park are so used to humans that many have lost their fear of humans.
The area surrounding Akan is not designated as wildlife preserve, yet there is a large deer population roaming the forests and roads. In fact recently many automobile accidents have resulted from deer crossing the roads. In order to save both deer and human lives from such accidents, fences have been built along certain sections of the road. Such precautions may be helpful, as far as safety is concerned but they also prevent humans from wandering into the woods and from deer wandering throughout their migrating area.
Mountain spring along highway 241. Who would have ever know it was hereunless they walked by? Since I started to see the protective fencing, I didn't see a single deer. I only heard one deer perhaps cautioning me its sharp deer yelp, telling me not to approach. Though cars rush by here all of the time; the deer may have been startled to have a visitor on foot.
The attempts to bridge gaps between the needs of deer and humans are evident in this protective fence strategy- gateways have even been installed along the fence so deer who happen to wander onto the roadside can escape from the road (but not return). However I felt very isolated from not only the deer along the roadside but from all of the nature beyond the fence.
Greg
PS. Today as I walked along I came upon a beautiful mountain spring. Had I not been walking, there is no way I would have had such a pleasure.
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