Deer found in Sussex with antlers and throat tangled in rope

East Sussex Wildlife and Rescue Ambulance Service (WRAS) was called to Maresfield Recreation Ground near Uckfield to assist a fallow buck deer which was at risk of strangulation.

A video shared by the charity shows a team pin the deer down to carefully remove the rope from its antlers, before releasing it.

From start to finish, the rescue was carried out in four minutes and nine seconds on Tuesday, August 13. 

A spokesman for the charity said: “Fallow deer are currently growing their antlers so entanglements in rope, electric fencing, and various netting will start to become more common over the six months.

The deer was successfully released (Image: East Sussex WRAS)

“Anyone finding an entangled deer should not cut it free but keep quiet and out of the deer’s line of sight where possible, even if this is standing behind a tree or bush.

READ MORE: Over 4,000 casualties dealt with by Sussex rescue this year

Although it is very tempting to just cut the rope from a distance and let the deer run off, this often results in them becoming re-entangled somewhere else and they may not be so lucky in being found.

“We would urge people with netting, football goals, rope or electric fencing to consider removing anything which is not needed or currently in use to help prevent these types of incidents from occurring.

“Supporting WRAS’s summer staff appeal will help ensure the charity can continue providing vital services during this season.”

East Sussex WRAS, based in Hailsham, was set up in 1996 by now-operations director Trevor Weeks to “provide a front-line rescue service for wildlife casualties”.

The team has dedicated ambulances which respond to incidents alongside a hospital with a treatment room and other facilities across the county.

The charity can be contacted for assistance if members of the public come across casualties they can’t handle or take to the vets themselves.