Deer spotted near Edinburgh University buildings amid ongoing lockdown

Wild deer have been spotted making their way towards Edinburgh city centre amid the continuing coronavirus lockdown.

Fraser Bean snapped three on the hill off Mayfield Road close to the Edinburgh University's King's Buildings campus.

It is believed the curious animals had made their way from Blackford Hill, but there was some concern over their welfare so close to busy main roads.

Fraser said: "I was surprised that the deer had come so far down from Blackford Hill and so close to such a busy road."

This isn't the first time that an animal has been spotted in an unfamiliar spot during the ongoing lockdown.

Two weeks ago, a pelican escaped from Edinburgh Zoo before roaming Corstorphine Hill.

Police were called on April 18 before officials confirmed the creature had flown over a fence, reportedly aided by a strong gust of wind.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at Edinburgh Zoo, said, “One of our pelicans managed to fly over a fence and wall on Saturday evening.

“She was returned safely from our car park by one of our keepers within thirty minutes, having also made her way to the hospital car park next door.

“It is rare for this to happen and would have been an unusual sight for anyone who saw her.

“Pelicans are calm birds so she would not have been a danger to the public.”

Other escapees from the zoo in the last decade include a red panda, a Bateleur eagle and a scarlet ibis which evaded capture for six days.