Its Deer Entanglement Season!

It’s that time of year when we receive numerous calls about deer getting their antlers caught in ropes, netting, electric fencing, and swings.

On Tuesday 17th September a fallow buck was discovered trapped in electric fencing at Piltdown, repeatedly running in and out of a deep, dry stream bed. This posed significant dangers for the rescuers involved.

Fortunately, the well-trained team managed to secure, cut free, and safely release the deer in under five minutes. “Once restrained, it’s crucial to release the deer as quickly as possible to prevent capture myopathy and stress-induced internal trauma. This is a major cause of deer fatalities. Some may die days or weeks later due to the trauma endured, which is why proper rescue methods are essential. Additionally, the effects of sedatives can intensify capture myopathy, so they should be avoided. Even onlookers waiting for rescuers can increase the deer’s stress and trauma,” explained Trevor.

“I urge anyone who encounters a trapped deer to pause before rushing in to help. Step back, stay out of sight and sound, allowing the deer to rest and calm down. Contact a rescue organisation for assistance and keep bystanders away. This approach ensures that the rescue is carried out efficiently and swiftly,” Trevor added.

WRAS emphasizes the importance of not cutting ropes and letting deer run off trailing them, as this can lead to re-entanglement and make it harder to locate the deer in more secluded areas of the countryside.

East Sussex WRAS is a community charity which relies on donations. Please consider helping them in their mission to prevent the suffering of around 6,000 wildlife casualties each year. Donations can be made online at wildlifeambulance.org or by calling 01825-873003.