Quick Take
- Helping a trapped deer sounds noble, but one wrong move can put the rescuer in the hospital.
- In this video, getting tangled deeper is exactly what the deer kept doing, which made the men's job far more dangerous.
- The smooth wire likely reduced the severity of the injuries compared with barbed wire.
Male deer have amazing and beautiful antlers that can grow massive. However, they can sometimes become tangled in wiring that is commonly used in fences. This Instagram post by @sassymediatv shows two men helping free two entangled deer.
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To prevent animals from getting tangled in wire fencing, use smooth wire pulled taut to make it more difficult to wrap around the animal.
©Tom Reichner/Shutterstock.com
Rescuing Deer
The video above is a sad sight. In it, two male deer have their antlers tangled up in a wire fence. They thrash around trying to escape, but they only entangle themselves further. Thankfully, two men who noticed what was happening stepped in to help. After several tense minutes, the men cut the wire and freed the deer. The deer then ran away.
Fencing wire is an inexpensive way to set up barriers and can be effective for containing livestock. However, other animals unfamiliar with it can become trapped. Deer are especially susceptible to entanglement due to the size of their antlers. If the wire is barbed, entanglement can quickly become fatal. Fortunately, the wire was smooth rather than barbed, which reduced the risk of injury associated with the rescue.
Helping deer can be dangerous, even if you have their best interests in mind. They are easily frightened, which can cause them to lash out. Deer are also extremely strong, with enormous force in their legs. A kick from a deer can easily cause serious injuries, such as fractures or lacerations. The video above demonstrates their sheer power, and fortunately, the men were unharmed. There are ways to make fences safer to avoid the situation altogether: use smooth wire, avoid loose wires, and make fences on your property highly visible to help keep passing wildlife safe.
