A fallow buck with its antlers caught in fencing. A deer trapped in a confined space. An animal dragging metres of netting through woodland.
These are just some of the difficult and potentially dangerous situations faced by East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service's specialist Deer Rescue Team.
Deer are powerful, unpredictable wild animals. When frightened, they can injure themselves or the people attempting to help them. Rescues therefore require specialist equipment, careful planning, experienced rescuers and a team that can react quickly when circumstances change.
Behind every successful release is far more work than the few dramatic minutes you might see on camera.
This page takes you behind the scenes of our deer rescue work, introduces the people involved and explains what it takes to give these magnificent animals another chance.
WRAS's deer rescue work dates back more than two decades.
Our first deer entanglement rescue took place in Dallington Forest in 2004. The following year, we were called to Cross-in-Hand to help a buck caught on a rope swing.
In those early years, WRAS might deal with only one or two deer incidents annually.
Today, our work has expanded considerably.
Our records show an increasing number of incidents, with 32 deer casualties reported in 2025. These involve much more than antler entanglements, including deer trapped in fencing, confined spaces and other dangerous situations.
As demand has grown, WRAS has developed a larger specialist team, supported by experienced Deer Rescue Leads who can coordinate incidents and help ensure that the right people and equipment are available.
Our aim is always to help these animals as safely and swiftly as circumstances allow, returning them to the wild wherever possible.
Three interviews exploring why the team exists, how rescues are coordinated and what the experience means to those taking part.
WRAS's deer rescue work began in 2004 with an entangled deer in Dallington Forest. Since then, demand has grown considerably, leading to the development of our specialist Deer Rescue Team.
In this first interview, WRAS Founder Trevor Weeks MBE looks back at how the team began, how its work has evolved and why rescuing deer requires a specialist approach. He explains the importance of equipment, safety and minimising stress, including the dangers of capture myopathy and why sedation isn't routinely used.
Discover how more than two decades of experience have shaped the way WRAS responds to deer in distress today.
A deer rescue begins long before anyone approaches the animal. From assessing information supplied by callers to planning the rescue, every decision matters.
Meet Thea Taylor, one of WRAS's experienced Deer Rescue Leads. In this interview, Thea explains the responsibilities involved in coordinating a rescue, selecting equipment, assessing risks and ensuring everyone understands their role.
But deer rescues can change in seconds, requiring the entire team to adapt quickly and work together. Discover why careful planning, sound judgement, communication and trust are essential to protecting both the deer and the rescuers throughout these challenging operations.
Behind every successful deer rescue are people prepared to face difficult terrain, unpredictable situations and the physical demands of helping a frightened wild animal.
Meet Brian, a dedicated member of WRAS's Deer Rescue Team, who first assisted with a deer rescue in 2021 and now regularly attends incidents across East Sussex.
In this final interview, Brian shares his experiences of being part of the team, what motivates him to continue helping and what it feels like when a deer is finally released.
Discover the human side of deer rescue and the personal commitment behind those extraordinary moments of freedom.
A deer caught in fencing can appear to be a relatively straightforward problem. Surely somebody only needs to approach it and cut the material away?
Unfortunately, it is rarely that simple.
The animal may panic and struggle, causing further injury. It may still be mobile, dragging fencing across fields or through woodland. Its antlers may be entangled in several different materials, requiring specialist cutting tools.
Every situation presents different challenges.
Our rescuers must consider the animal's behaviour, the surrounding terrain, possible escape routes, the available equipment and the safety of everyone involved.
The way a deer is approached, captured and restrained can be just as important as removing the entanglement itself.
One of the significant concerns during deer rescues is a condition known as capture myopathy.
This potentially fatal condition is associated with intense stress and exertion during capture or restraint and can cause serious muscle damage and other complications.
It is one of the reasons our team works to keep pursuit, handling and restraint as short as safely possible.
Every rescue is different, but careful preparation and clear teamwork can make a substantial difference to how efficiently an animal is freed.
Our specialist approach is intended to minimise unnecessary stress while maintaining the safety of both the deer and the rescue team.
Even the most carefully planned deer rescue can change in an instant.
A deer may suddenly move into thick woodland, become caught on another obstacle or find an unexpected escape route.
Our rescuers must continually reassess what is happening and decide whether to continue, change their approach or withdraw.
Sometimes, the safest decision is not to proceed.
Knowing the limits of the team and recognising when a rescue could cause more harm than good is an essential part of specialist wildlife rescue.
When an opportunity does arise, the rescuers must work together quickly, often anticipating one another's movements without needing lengthy instructions.
This understanding and trust develops through training, experience and working together on real incidents.
For the team, the moment a deer gets back to its feet and runs free can make all the preparation, uncertainty and hard physical work worthwhile.
Not every rescue ends this way. Some animals have injuries or illnesses that mean returning them immediately to the wild is not possible.
But when a deer can be safely released, there is something extraordinary about watching it disappear back into its natural surroundings.
There may be relief, excitement or simply a quiet moment as the team takes in what has happened.
Then the equipment is packed away, ready for the next call.
Help us be there when deer need us most.
This incident was particularly challenging. With large amounts of rope and no tree or post to shorted the length, the team had to act fast to avoid capture myopathy beating the rescues to the release.
Watch WRAS's team at work from in an amazingly challenging rescue which took just 7 minutes from start to finish.
This is what your support makes possible.
Check out the advice on our Deer Advice page by clicking HERE
