WRAS has limited deer facilities and is unable to care for adult or young deer. Nevertheless, WRAS can provide temporary shelter for small deer for 24-48 hours in extraordinary situations. WRAS is currently working on securing a new hospital site to establish proper facilities for deer care in the future.
WRAS has a specialist team of rescuers able to respond to antler entanglements.
WRAS receives numerous calls regarding deer involved in road accidents, but the success rate in treating these cases is minimal. Deer that sustain minor injuries from a vehicle often flee in a burst of adrenaline and are not seen again. On the other hand, deer that are severely hit may suffer spinal or internal injuries, leading to euthanasia. WRAS cannot euthanize deer and depends on veterinarians for this. However, many vets are too occupied or unwilling to assist with such cases. Therefore, WRAS recommends reporting road accident deer to Sussex Police by dialling 101 (or 999 if an immediate road hazard) and asking them to contact the nearest deer warden. WRAS aims to address this issue in the future. It is advised not to disturb deer on the road or in grassy areas, as this may startle them and cause them to run into oncoming traffic. Ensure your safety by positioning your car appropriately and activating your hazard lights.
It is common for people to call after spotting a deer limping or with a missing lower limb. Surprisingly, many deer can manage quite well on three legs. When a deer is hit by a car, adrenaline rushes through its body, causing it to either run off and vanish without a trace, or to find a nearby hiding spot and collapse, refusing to stand.
If a deer can put weight on a limping leg, the injury is likely minor.
Capturing mobile deer is almost impossible unless they are in a very restricted area. Using darts on deer is challenging and typically avoided due to the impact of capture myopathy and the limitations on releasing them after chemical use.
Often, young baby deer are discovered by walkers. The general advice is to refrain from interfering. It is common for parent deer to leave their young ones hidden in tall grass or other vegetation. However, unfortunate incidents like road accidents or human interference may result in orphaned fawns. It is crucial not to touch or relocate these baby deer. If uncertain about whether the deer is orphaned, seek advice from your local rescue.
If you disturb a young deer with its mum, i.e. they are crossing a road and the baby ends up going in a different direction to mum. They will normally still find each other and you should not attempt to reunite them as you are likely to cause more harm than good.
Young deer typically begin to wander off when their mother does not return. If a fawn is found in an exposed area, such as short grassland, and is at risk from dangers like dog walkers, it may have been abandoned. Do not attempt to move the deer unless instructed to do so.
We do not have facilities to take in and hand rear baby deer, but we have contacts at other rescue organisations that may have space available.
WRAS receives numerous calls regarding deer trapped by their antlers in various objects like electric fencing, rope swings, hay bale netting, and camouflage netting. While these deer have a decent chance of survival, it hinges on the extent of damage and the duration of entrapment.
Deer suffer from Capture myopathy, which can be fatal. To avoid this keep your distance and do not attempt gain control of the deer. It is advised not to free a deer yourself and release it. It’s always best to wait for rescuers to arrive at the scene first and handle the situation. Cutting deer free and letting them run off with entangled rope or line still attached often leads to then getting caught again, sometimes in remote areas where they may not be found and sadly meet a tragic end.
Even though it can be distressing to witness a trapped deer struggling, the best course of action is to step back and move away. Maintain a distance, keep pets and people away, and minimize noise. This approach helps keep the deer calm, encouraging them to remain still and avoid further distress.
Deer occasionally get legs caught in stock or barb-wire fencing. These can result in nasty injuries and ligature wounds. It often compromises their ability to survive in the wild. We liaise with deer wardens over such cases to determine the best outcome for the animals. Please do not cut them free. The trapped and elevated leg is keeping the deer secure, prevent excessive blood loss, and will allow rescuers or a warden to help the deer more efficiently.
We do not have a licence for the collection, transportation and disposal of dead wildlife. If on a public highway the deer is the responsibility of the district, borough or city council.
If on private land this is the landowners responsibility to arrange suitable disposal. You could try contacted Charles Diplock Cremation Services. Read more about their services at http://www.charlesdiplock.co.uk/#farming
