Animals have been a distinctive feature of Clissold Park for generations, and their care and management have repeatedly featured in CPUG’s work. Our surviving records show the group raising questions about the deer and animal enclosure, animal welfare, staffing and management, as well as the fish in the park’s ponds.

Hackney Council owns and manages Clissold Park and is responsible for the animals kept there. CPUG’s role has been to represent concerns raised by park users, ask questions about their welfare and management and contribute to discussions about changes to the animal areas.

Supporting the animal enclosure

The animal enclosure appears in CPUG’s earliest surviving records.

In 2002 the group was involved in discussions about funding for the enclosure alongside other park facilities. Questions about the animals, their accommodation and the management of the enclosure continued to arise at meetings during the following years.

For many park users, particularly families and children, the animals were an important part of a visit to Clissold Park. CPUG’s interest therefore covered both their welfare and the future of the facilities in which they were kept.

The animals and the park restoration

The major restoration of Clissold Park and House brought substantial changes to the animal enclosure.

As the restoration plans developed, CPUG scrutinised proposals affecting the deer and other animals, including the location and design of the enclosure.

Their welfare became a particularly important issue during the construction period. In 2011 CPUG repeatedly raised questions about the animals with Hackney Council and sought information about their care while work was taking place.

The Council remained responsible for the animals and decisions about their management, but the surviving records show CPUG maintaining scrutiny of the issue throughout this period.

Animal welfare and management

The restoration period also prompted wider discussion about how the animals should be cared for in the longer term.

CPUG raised questions about staffing, training and appropriate arrangements for looking after the animals. Discussions included the need for specialist knowledge and a clear management plan.

Veterinary and Council advice informed decisions about animal welfare. CPUG’s role was not to provide that professional advice, but to ensure that concerns raised by park users were pursued and discussed with those responsible.

The deer enclosure

The location and extent of the deer enclosure have changed over the years, including as part of the restoration of the park.

CPUG discussed the enclosure as restoration proposals developed and continued to follow the welfare and management of the deer after the project was completed.

The presence of deer in a busy urban park raises particular questions about suitable space, shelter, feeding, veterinary care and interaction with visitors. These have periodically returned to the group’s agenda alongside the wider question of how the animal area should be managed.

Fish and the park’s ponds

CPUG’s involvement with park animals has not been limited to the animal enclosure.

In 2015 the management of fish in the park became a significant issue. Proposals to remove fish from one of the ponds prompted discussion about their environmental impact, what should happen to them and whether fish should subsequently be returned.

The debate also highlighted the relationship between the animals traditionally associated with the park and its wider ecology. Decisions intended to improve a pond as a wildlife habitat can sometimes conflict with expectations about the animals people are accustomed to seeing there.

CPUG provided a forum in which these different considerations could be discussed, while responsibility for managing the ponds and fish remained with Hackney Council.

Animals and wildlife

The distinction between animals kept in the park and its wild species is important.

The deer and other animals in the enclosure depend on people for their care and management. Wild birds, bats, insects and other species form part of the park’s wider ecosystem and are considered through CPUG’s work on biodiversity and Nature Recovery.

For that reason, our work concerning wild species and habitats is covered separately in Our work: Nature, trees and wildlife.

A continuing part of our work

The animals remain a popular and distinctive part of Clissold Park, and their welfare and facilities continue to be discussed when concerns arise.

Over the years CPUG has raised questions about enclosures, animal welfare, management arrangements, staffing and the park’s fish. In doing so, our role has been to represent park users and seek information and action from Hackney Council rather than to manage the animals ourselves.

Park animals continue to feature in CPUG’s recent meetings, making this an active as well as a historical part of our work.