Two roe deer found tangled together by their antlers in a field in Chichester had to be freed by the RSPCA and fire service this week.
Local residents out walking in fields close to Shipton Green Lane last Tuesday (5 May) spotted the deer after they had locked antlers in a display of dominant behaviour (known as rutting) before becoming stuck together.
Hoping they could free themselves, the walkers left the deer in peace, but unfortunately, by the following day they had still not managed to separate themselves. The deer became anxious when they were approached, and as their concern grew, the walkers contacted the RSPCA for help.
Luckily animal collection officer (ACO) Claire Thomas, who is usually based in East Sussex, was in the area already having seen to another animal rescue, so she was able to swiftly assess the situation.
Claire said: “When I arrived I could see the male deer were very anxious and difficult to approach. Wild animals such as deer can be very dangerous, so I contacted West Sussex Fire & Rescue, who were able to spare a team from their technical rescue unit to help me. My colleague, RSPCA inspector Becky Carter who was also working in the local area arrived to help.
Between the four fire officers, Becky and Claire, the frantic deer were gently encouraged to move towards a hedge in the field where they would feel safer and more protected, and the team slowly approached them, and carefully secured them. Claire was able to place a towel over the deers’ heads to keep them calm, and Becky was finally able to help manoeuvre their antlers and free them, before the team braced themselves to free both deer together.
Claire added: “It was lovely to watch them bound off into the distance, unharmed from their ordeal. The members of the public did the right thing by calling us to help. Although roe deer seem fairly small, they are still extremely powerful and, when frightened, wild animals are incredibly unpredictable and dangerous. I’m really glad we were able to help, and extremely grateful to the fire service for sparing some of their precious time to help.”
If you find a wild animal in need of help, keep a safe distance, and contact the RSPCA for advice on 0300 1234 999.
To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid