Emperor of Exmoor
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File:Emperor of Exmoor (red stag).jpg
The Emperor of Exmoor, a red stag (Cervus elaphus), was reportedly killed in October 2010.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/oct/25/exmoor-emperor-stag-shot-dead Exmoor, Emperor Stag, shot dead]. The Guardian, 25 October 2010.[http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/207559/Fury-over-Britains-largest-wild-animal-shot-dead/ Fury over Britain's largest wild animal shot dead]. The Daily Express, 25 October 2010.[https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/880591--u-k-furious-over-killing-of-majestic-stag U.K. furious over killing of majestic stag]. The Toronto Star (Canada), 25 October 2010.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/25/exmoor-emperor-britains-l_n_773319.html Exmoor Emperor, Britain's Largest Animal, Gunned Down In 'Trophy Hunt']. The Huffington Post (U.S.), 25 October 2010. Its weight has been estimated as over {{convert|300|lb|kg|0}} and its height at {{convert|9|ft|m}}. Red deer on Exmoor National Park are larger than red deer in Scotland owing to their diet.[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6865411.ece Britain’s ‘biggest wild beast’ — a red deer stag roaming Exmoor]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. The Times Online, 8 October 2009.
The deer was given its nickname by photographer Richard Austin. Its body was reportedly discovered near the A361 road between Tiverton and Barnstaple in Devon, during the annual rutting season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11624253 |title= UK's 'biggest stag' Exmoor Emperor found shot dead |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=25 October 2010 |accessdate=2010-10-26}} It was reportedly killed by a licensed hunter, and an unnamed man reported hearing two shots.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Outrage-Emperor-Exmoor-shot/article-2794008-detail/article.html |title=The Emperor is dead – long live The Emperor… That's been the clarion cry among deer lovers on Exmoor in the past few days since it emerged that one of the largest stags ever seen in the West has been shot |publisher=Thisissomerset.co.uk |date=18 October 2010 |accessdate=2010-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029202522/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Outrage-Emperor-Exmoor-shot/article-2794008-detail/article.html |archive-date=29 October 2010 |url-status=dead }} Within a few days, other local observers reported having seen the animal alive,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11646739 |title= Locals split over Exmoor Emperor's 'death |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=28 October 2010 |accessdate=2010-10-28}} leading to the suggestion that this may be a manufactured story. Few of the reported facts can actually be verified. The Guardian called the story "a myth".{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/oct/31/emperor-stag-exmoor-killed-sightings | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=John | last=Vidal | title=Dead or alive? The Emperor becomes an Exmoor legend | date=31 October 2010}}
The animal was believed to be around 12 years old at the time of the claim, but healthy. Older animals are sometimes culled, particularly when their incisor teeth are worn, making it difficult for them to survive the winter, but a former worker in deer management stated that "The Emperor was starting to get past his best, but he was definitely not at that stage yet."
The same observer stated, on the topic of stalking during rut, "... we should maintain a standard and stop all persecution during this important time of the year", but the practice is legal and the importance of hunting, both in species management and to the local economy, is asserted by the national park authority.[http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enpa_hunting_statement Exmoor National Park Authority hunting statement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403081049/http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enpa_hunting_statement |date=2009-04-03 }}
Deer stalking is legal in Britain under the Deer Act 1991, although hunters must seek permission from the landowner. The heads can fetch over £1000. The possible death of the Emperor of Exmoor prompted several MPs to sign an Early Day Motion with the intent to ban hunting of wild animals in Britain.{{cite web|url=http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/mps_demand_action_after_exmoor_emperor_death_vanishes_1_1590363 |title=MPs demand action after Exmoor Emperor death vanishes |date=31 October 2010 |work=Spalding Guardian |accessdate=31 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109221155/http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/mps_demand_action_after_exmoor_emperor_death_vanishes_1_1590363 |archivedate= 9 November 2010 }}
A head said to resemble the Emperor's was hung in the Hartnoll Hotel in Bolham, Devon in December 2011. The head was removed after the hotel received threats.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-16138993 | work=BBC News | title='Exmoor Emperor' stag's head removed after threats | date=12 December 2011}}