Newborn fawn rescued after mother was struck and killed by car on I-77

[mahatmakanejeeves]

My animal story for the day, or week.

Hat tip, the Fairmont Times West Virginian: Fawn born after mother killed by vehicle, rescued by courtesy patrol

Newborn fawn rescued after mother was struck and killed by car on I-77

Contributed photo

Posted: Monday, July 27, 2015 4:45 am
By SAMANTHA PERRY Bluefield Daily Telegraph
[email protected]

PRINCETON — Efforts by the West Virginia State Police and Courtesy Patrol helped save the life of a newborn fawn whose mother was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 77. ... The doe was struck shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday around mile marker 10 on the northbound side of I-77, according to Cpl. B.J. Garretson, with the West Virginia State Police Turnpike Detachment.

The doe, who was pregnant, spontaneously gave birth after being hit by a passenger vehicle. ... “She was torn up pretty bad,” Garretson said. “I have no idea how that little guy survived.”

Garretson said the Courtesy Patrol was on scene when he and Cpl. Z.M. Duke responded to the accident site. ... “I think it took me and Duke about 10 to 15 minutes to get there,” Garretson said. “The Courtesy Patrol had already found the mother and found the fawn.”

The mother deer did not survive the crash, but the fawn, who was born on the scene, lived.

[abakan]

1. Poor baby, what a way to come into the world.

I'm glad there were caring people to come to the rescue.

[Tree-Hugger]

2. awww

Poor little baby. Hope s/he is well.

[bvar22]

3. The deer population where I live is very high,

and the woods are full of back roads. Most people drive way too fast at dawn and sunset, the time deer are active.
This tragedy happens way too often.

As a member of the local Fire & Rescue, I am usually called in this area to "take care of it" when a deer (or cow or horse) gets hit and mortally wounded. It usually results in the most unpleasant aspect of my job, putting a severely wounded animal out of its misery.

Two years ago, someone called, and said the mother deer was dead, but her young fawn was OK.
They asked My Wife & I to take care of the fawn. At first we had some resistance. Raising a fawn is much more complicated than raising a cat or a dog. Fawns need a 24 hour mother.

We decided to take her and raise her, but leave her the choice of when to leave.


For some interesting photos and insight to these beautiful animals,
see this photo thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1182456

[Cleita]

4. I have a mama deer who brings her fawn through the pasture right behind my house.

First time the baby was spotted and it was so cute jumping and prancing around mom playing. It's bigger now and has lost its spots. I'm always happy to see them because it means the coyotes didn't get them. They really are sweet animals even if they do help themselves to my roses every now and then.

[bvar22]

5. LOL.

You can forget about growing roses if there are deer in your neighborhood.
They will chew them down to the nub.

We love roses, but gave them up because of the deer.
It was a good trade, but our veggies are behind 8' deer fencing.

[Cleita]

6. It's okay. I may have to give them up anyway. They need too much water and

we are sort of on water lockdown here in CA because of the drought.

[bvar22]

7. Thanks for your kind words.

---bvar22
Ouachita Mtns, ARkansas

[ileus]

8. I drive this stretch of 77 almost daily...