BOLZANO. Also this year, thanks to the commitment of over 730 volunteers Among hunters, farmers and other collaborators, approximately 100,000 people were saved 1,500 roe deer babies from mechanical mowers used in haymaking. With over 7,400 hours of volunteeringand the use of drones equipped with thermal camerasit was possible to avoid many deaths and injuries of young wildlife. This was reported by theSouth Tyrol Hunters Association.
In early summer, many female roe deer give birth and hide their young in the tall grass to protect them from danger, and then move away. From time to time, the mothers return to nurse them. In the first days of life, the fawns remain motionless in the face of danger, an effective behavior against foxes and other natural predators, but extremely risky with the arrival of haymakers.
To prevent such incidents, around 730 volunteers took to the field again in 2024, dedicating more than 7,400 hours of voluntary work to the protection of young wildlife. Thanks to this extraordinary mobilization, it was possible to save around 1,500 roe deer fawns from injury or cruel death caused by mower blades.
This year’s heavy spring rains delayed hay harvesting, allowing many fawns to grow large enough to walk away from danger on their own. This has contributed to a significant reduction in the number of fawns involved in accidents compared to previous years.
Different methods are used for rescue: fromuse of various types of deterrents to the increasingly widespread use of drones equipped with thermal cameras. This year, drones They flew for over 4,600 hoursscanning the fields at dawn, just before the mowing begins. When a calf is spotted, it is temporarily placed in a ventilated basket, only to be released again once the mowing is complete, with its mother ready to collect it.
Alternatively, volunteers walk through the fields before the cars pass, a slower and more laborious method that requires a lot of personnel. Drones, although expensive, are a quicker and more effective solution, but their purchase, which starts at €8,000, is entirely paid for by the hunting reserves.
Despite organizational difficulties, the rescue of roe deer remains a priority, essential to ensure animal welfare. The hunters involved in the rescue work for free, often at dawn, before starting their working day.
2024-09-16 10:34:28