'Exmoor Emperor' stag's head removed after threats

The head of a giant red deer stag, believed to have been the biggest wild land animal in the UK, has been taken down from the wall of a Devon hotel.

An employee of the Hartnoll Hotel in Bolham, near Tiverton, said the hotel had been "bombarded" with threats.

No complaints have been made to the police about the threats which have come via telephone and email.

The Exmoor Emperor was killed near Rackenford in October last year.
Weighing more than 135kg (300lb) and standing nearly 2.75m (9ft) tall, it is believed the Emperor was shot by a licensed hunter during the annual rut.

The hotel was lent the stag's head about a month ago.

BBC South West Correspondent John Kay said the hotel had decided to take the stag's head down until attention and threats subsided.     Read More