Deer rescued after becoming trapped in fencing in Heathfield

On Tuesday, November 11, shortly after 11 am, a resident in Punnet's Town near Heathfield discovered the fallow buck trapped in a field off Forrest Lane, with its antlers caught fast in discarded stock fencing.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) quickly sent its Specialist Deer Disentanglement Team to help.

Rescuers make their approach across the field. (Image: East Sussex WRAS)

The team, including rescuers Trevor Weeks, Keith Ring, Daryl Farmer and Ollie Long, carefully approached the distressed deer using a walk-towards net.

As the animal tripped and fell, Trevor Weeks swiftly secured the rear legs, allowing the team to gain control.

Deer rescues must be done quickly, as holding a deer for longer than 30 minutes can lead to capture myopathy, a stress-related condition that can be fatal.

Even sedation can worsen this condition, which is why WRAS has a trained specialist team to handle such cases without sedation.

From the start of the approach to the moment of release, the entire rescue took less than five minutes.

This case was unusual for the team, as most antler entanglements involve rope or netting, but this time, discarded stock fencing had become the problem.

Using bolt cutters, rescuers freed the animal swiftly, allowing the buck to dash safely back into the wild.

The buck is set free within a matter of minutes. (Image: East Sussex WRAS)

Although deer may appear extremely distressed when trapped, this is often because they can see or sense people nearby.

In many cases, when people back away and stay out of sight, the deer will calm down and move less, reducing the risk of serious injury or exhaustion.

WRAS is urging people not to try to free trapped deer themselves, as even well-meaning actions can result in injury or death.

Instead, please call for specialist help immediately by contacting East Sussex WRAS or your local wildlife rescue service.