Community Rallies to Rescue Deer Tangled in Tennis Net in Victoria
Deer are a familiar sight throughout Victoria, and Fairfield’s Ross Bay Cemetery is known as a frequent grazing area for these creatures. Wildlife enthusiast Ryan Michael, who manages the Friends of Vancouver Island Facebook group, notes that a dozen deer can often be seen there.
Michael, while not a professional in wildlife care, recognized an urgent situation last Saturday when a photo surfaced online showing a young buck wandering with a tennis net tightly wrapped around its head, the ball still attached.
Social Media Sparks Swift Rescue Response
Michael shared the image in his group, where it rapidly gained traction and was viewed by over 100,000 people. He immediately contacted the BC Conservation Officer Service for assistance but was informed that officers could only intervene if the deer was safely immobilized.
With time critical, Michael organized a volunteer search effort through Facebook, and within hours, ten strangers were scouring Fairfield to locate and help the distressed deer.
Community Effort Leads to Successful Capture
Among the volunteers were Lucy Bridal and Melat Gebru, who met for the first time during the rescue operation. The group assembled at Ross Bay Cemetery and then proceeded to Moss Rock Park, where the deer had last been spotted.
- Gebru recalled spotting the buck near an apartment complex, describing the moment as discovering “the golden goose” after a lengthy search.
- Volunteers maintained visual contact with the animal, despite its unpredictable movements, including an incident where it leapt a fence towards the group, causing temporary scattering.
Eventually, the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society dispatched a veterinarian who successfully sedated the deer with a tranquilizer dart.
Wildlife Expert Commentary on the Incident
From a biological perspective, deer are particularly vulnerable to such entanglements, especially young males during their dispersal or rutting periods when their activity and movement increase. The net was tight enough to cause physical harm, cutting into the deer’s muzzle, which could lead to infections or impaired feeding ability.
Although the BC Conservation Officer Service reported that the deer had been feeding naturally despite the restraint, veterinary intervention was essential to prevent long-term damage.
Tranquilization and Care
Once immobilized, the veterinarian carefully removed the tennis net, alleviating the risk of further injury. This approach underscores the importance of involving trained professionals in wildlife rescues to ensure animals are handled safely and effectively.
Michael points out that the accident happened with a tennis net, which was the only real “casualty” of the episode.
Positive Community Impact
Beyond the rescue itself, the incident fostered new connections among participants, who have since planned to reunite. Bridal and Gebru jokingly debated whether their meeting would center around “beers or deers,” reflecting the camaraderie forged through the experience.
Michael expressed personal satisfaction in uniting strangers to save an animal, describing a peaceful night’s sleep following the rescue.
Additional reporting and sources from: Victoria strangers get together to rescue deer filmed tangled in tennis net
