Deer Rescued After Becoming Trapped in Plastic Pumpkin in Pueblo West, Colorado
On Wednesday morning, Brandy Schneider’s jog in Pueblo West, Colorado, was interrupted by an urgent wildlife rescue. She heard distressed sounds and found a deer ensnared by a plastic trick-or-treat pumpkin bucket.
The young deer was entangled in the bright orange container commonly used for Halloween, which had become a hazardous snare around its neck. Schneider’s quick action allowed her to free the animal safely, preventing further injury or stress.
Wildlife Hazards in Residential Areas
This incident highlights an often-overlooked risk that festive decorations can pose to local wildlife, particularly deer. During the fall, when deer are highly active and frequently moving through suburban and rural areas, encounters like this become more common.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife emphasizes that seemingly harmless items like plastic containers, strings, and decorations can easily ensnare animals, affecting their mobility, feeding, and survival.
Expert Perspective: Deer Behavior and Risks
White-tailed and mule deer, both native to Colorado, have strong curiosity but limited ability to free themselves from man-made entanglements. Their coats and neck size, combined with rapid movement to escape threats, can unfortunately make plastic objects a dangerous trap.
Fawn and yearling deer are especially vulnerable, as immature animals may be less experienced in navigating complex environments with human debris.
Recommendations for Residents
- Secure or remove decorations and containers that could entangle wildlife.
- Avoid leaving plastic buckets and bright objects accessible near wooded or open areas frequented by deer.
- Report injured or trapped wildlife promptly to local authorities or wildlife rehabilitation groups.
Community Response and Importance of Awareness
Brandy Schneider’s timely intervention demonstrates how community awareness and care can mitigate human impact on wildlife. Quick responses to these situations can prevent fatal injuries to deer and other animals that increasingly share spaces with humans.
The incident serves as a reminder that as urban expansion intersects with natural habitats, responsible stewardship of outdoor environments is essential to protect vulnerable species.
Reported by Tony Keith for World Deer, June 2024.
Additional reporting and sources from: Deer gets snared by plastic pumpkin in Colorado, be mindful of your decorations
