New Yorkers baffled by presence of three deer in Manhattan park

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Crowds have been gathering at park in New York's Harlem neighborhood to glimpse a group of rare visitors to Manhattan -- a trio of deer.

A one-antlered deer was spotted this week in Harlem's Jackie Robinson Park and residents soon discovered there were two others with him.

Neighborhood residents said the deer have been seen venturing out of the park to search for food and water in the surrounding area.

"Some people left water for them and they've been eating the shrubs from around there," park neighbor Yayne Hailu told DNA Info.

Onlookers questioned how the deer ended up on the island of Manhattan, with some suggesting they might have taken a swim.

A city Parks Department spokeswoman said rangers visited the park Thursday to assess the situation and the department will continue to monitor the deer. She said capturing and relocating the animals would be a violation of state regulations.