East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service’s (WRAS) specialist deer disentanglement team were called into action this morning after walkers discovered a distressed fallow buck with its antlers caught in electric fencing near Newick
A team of trained WRAS rescuers attended the scene and were able to safely secure the struggling deer and remove the rope before releasing him back into the wild. The entire rescue, from the team’s approach to the moment of release, took just under six minutes.
“Deer are highly strung and extremely powerful animals,” said WRAS founder and operations director Trevor Weeks MBE. “These rescues require calm, coordinated teamwork and precise handling. From the moment rescuers begin their approach, the whole process must be completed as quickly and smoothly as possible – ideally within 30 minutes – to avoid the animal suffering from capture myopathy, a stress-related condition that can be fatal. Sedation often makes this condition worse, which is why WRAS teams rely on specialist training and experience to perform these rescues safely and without drugs.”
Video footage taken during the incident shows just how powerful and potentially dangerous these animals can be, even when trapped.
WRAS is urging members of the public to seek expert help immediately if they come across an entangled deer or similar situation.
“It’s natural to want to help,” added Trevor, “but cutting the rope and letting the deer run off still entangled can make matters far worse. The deer is likely to become trapped again, and next time it may not be found in time. The best thing people can do is keep quiet, stay out of sight, and call for professional help as quickly as possible. Once the animal calms down, a trained rescue team can safely intervene.”
Most of WRAS’s deer rescue team are volunteers who drop everything at a moment’s notice to help wildlife in distress across East Sussex.
About WRAS:
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East Sussex WRAS is an award-winning charity that has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sick, injured and orphaned wildlife across East Sussex for over 30 years.
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WRAS responds to over 6,500 incidents annually involving a wide range of species, including deer, swans, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, and birds.
To support their life-saving work, please visit: www.wildlifeambulance.org or call 01825873003 to donate.
