Vladimir Putin ‘bathes in blood from severed deer antlers in barbaric tradition to boost his potency’, claims Russian website
Blood from stag antlers is boiled to create an elixir dubbed 'natural Viagra' in practice condemned by animal rights groups
VLADIMIR Putin is a fan of taking baths in blood extracted from the severed deer antlers, reports in Russia claim.
The ancient tradition is seen as a testosterone-driven elixir to boost male health and potency.
Ahead of the Russian president's visit to the Altai mountains in Siberia last year, some 70kg of stag horns prepared for him "to take antler baths", according to local media outlet kapitalist.tv.
Animal rights campaigners have condemned the "barbarian" practice which involves sawing off the antlers without anaesthetic to extract blood - dubbed a "natural Viagra".
Putin, 64, first asked about the medicinal benefits of antler extract a decade ago and his prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is also keen on the blood baths, reported news outlet Republic.
It claimed: "Since that time the President has visited Altai many times, sometimes even several times a year."
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And Expert magazine claims Putin consulted Alexander Zuykov, and expert in the blood extracted from maral, also known as Capsian red deer.
There are uncorroborated claims the Kremlin strongman introduced ex-Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi to the practice during a Siberian visit in 2015.
One Altai farm - which exports antlers for use in Chinese medicinal cures - stated: "Extract from red deer antlers acts as a strong tonic, especially for men's potency.
"It strengthens the body's bones, muscles, teeth, eyesight and hearing, cures pleurisy, pneumonia, asthma, joint pain, osteoporosis, and problems with the spine."
The antlers were called "horns of gold" in 15th century Russian literature - and are believed to improve sexual performance.
The antlers are sawn off months before they are naturally shed and the blood is extracted and boiled into a "broth" which is used for red-coloured baths.
Some Russians prefer to drink the blood, such as TV presenter Lena Lenina.
Disturbing accounts from deer farms tell how each animal is "herded into a special cutting chamber" where it is clamped in a press with its head on a ledge.
Observers say the creatures are "bewildered" and "shell-shocked", their eyes "bulging with fright" .
One said: "Two or three stand on the stag's back from above, one holds the prized antlers, his trainer on the animal's muzzle, immobilising the head.
"One cuts the antlers, his foot on the back of the neck, preventing the beast moving a centimetre until it is divested of its valuable trophy."
Irina Novozhilova, president of Russian Animal Protection Centre, said the method was "totally abnormal".
She said: "Blood baths. This is manipulating nature, without any sense.
"It is a pure example of a cruel attitude to animals."
She suggested the process was medieval, saying: "It is strange that we are discussing this matter in the 21st century, because the faith in the effectiveness of this medicine made from antlers comes from ancient times.
"Ancient people did believe that they could cure themselves with the help of animal body parts.
"In medieval times people also believed in curative substances. I recall stories about bloody Countess Bathory who enjoyed taking baths in the blood of young girls.
"And King James I of England regularly took baths with animal blood.
"Both these facts sound wild nowadays, but you can build a parallel to these legal red deer farms."
Vladimir Putin got the upper hand on Donald Trump earlier this month when the two leaders met for the first time at a G20 summit.
A body language expert said the Russian leader drew the equivalent of a "weapon" by pointing at Mr Trump and then proved his superior status with a double-handed fist pump.
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