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Midnight call to deer in Uckfield High Street
15 March 2008
Rescuers had a bizarre call-out just after midnight this morning after a small deer was seen walking down Uckfield High Street. Volunteer rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) were on site within 20 minutes but the deer could not be found.
"The report was of a small deer about 4-5ft tall with short antlers" said Trevor Weeks Rescue Co-ordinator for WRAS who attended on site, "whilst checking the high street deer droppings were found near Woolworths in the heart of the town."
Although deer in town centres is fairly unusual it is not the first time WRAS has been called to such an incident. Last year a deer was spotted on numerous occasions just outside Seaford Town Centre.
"I suspect that this deer had lost its way some how, had a near miss with a car and ran the wrong way and got confused, or was chased by a dog or something. I know they walk along the railway line on a regular basis and are seen in the fields around Uckfield all the time, but this is the first time I’ve seen one in Uckfield High Street" said Trevor.
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Press Contacts: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958 (private)
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It is very easy to assume a bird has been abandoned when you find it on the ground, but quite often it is a fledgling learning to fly. When a fledgling takes its first flight it is going to be unsuccessful, it is natural for them to spend 2-3 days on the ground sometimes before they can fly properly. Mum and dad will normally be nearby but they do not always fly down to feed every few minutes as they are trying to encourage the youngster to fly. Both the youngster and the parents are good at hiding themselves.