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Sierra Malichi Viviendo en paz con los Venados |
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Sierra Malichi Living in Peace with Deer |
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Stories “A DEER RESCUE”
Similar to a snowflake or a fallen dry
leaf that are blown around by the wind until it finally finds its place
on the ground, life and circumstances places us randomly in different
countries, situations or possibilities. Through time, I have seen in several animal TV programs amazing examples of compassion, bravery and care between sometimes, dissimilar and even antagonistic species; this makes me wonder that animals are not quite that different from the human race when confronted with certain situations. Once, I watched a program where a lioness took care of an orphaned antelope fawn; her instinct leads this lioness far away from her pride, knowing that other lions would prey easily on her unusual cub. After few days together both were starving, the lioness was unable to make a kill by itself, and she didn't have any milk to offer to the fawn. This uncommon behavior attracted the attention of some Game guards that decided to follow and document in film this unnatural relationship; finally, a lion killed the suffering antelope. In another case, a female hippo snatched away a small gazelle from the jaws of a crocodile; she stood besides the dying animal trying to save its life breathing into his mouth and pushing him carefully, forcing him to stand up and run away from the danger; she persist until the wounded antelope died. In another unusual case, two lions saved the life of a small girl when several men were kidnapping her, they were attacked and chased away by the brave lions; although they had the small child at their reach and mercy, they stood at her side for hours until the small girl's parents arrived. Although these attitudes may be rather
instinctive, I am sure animals may distinguish other creatures anguish
and pain and be actually willing to do something to try to help. I don't have the capabilities or the frame of mind to help people, but I may have a given instinct or desire to relieve deer from painful situations. I can't explain either why I fell such love and sympathy for this particular animal. Whitetail deer are so strongly attached to me, that sometimes I think I am as well attached to them. Recently, I read a newspaper ad about several deer that were kept in captivity, these people were anxious to get rid of this “plague”, and they were willing to sell them to the first person appearing. Afraid about their future fait and cruel destiny, I decide to rescue them. The only problem was that I had no money to bid, so I offered them some ranch equipment. Thankfully, nobody was interested in these deer due to their obvious injuries and bad general conditions; they had no option than to accept my proposition. These people told me both bucks were extremely aggressive, they had tried to attack them several times when someone pretended to enter the small pen. They feared to clean the corrals and it was obvious that all that dirt was very harmful to deer. This aggressiveness is natural, as they don't have enough space to retreat, they surely were underfeed and in continuous stress, One buck was specially in bad shape, he had an ugly wound under his chest, it was infected with bacteria and fungus due to the humid and dirty place where they bed. I managed to build two corrals to keep the does and the two bucks separated, trying to avoid further stress and dominance conflicts. Trying to avoid more suffering or possible hazard to the deer, I proceed carefully for 3 days to patiently, one by one, tranquilize dart the four deer and take care of their wounds and health, and transport them to my sanctuary. I have now had several months with them, at first they were reluctant to stay calm when I enter their corrals, after several weeks I could approach them within two steps and talk with them. They even follow me while I am checking the wire fence. I am very conscious of the dangers when treating “wild” creatures in captivity; I know both, wild and untamed deer can be extremely dangerous to man. I am always aware of their body language and attitude towards me. I respect them as they respect me. In more than 9 years of intensive close contact with them, I haven't been attacked by one, or had denoted any sign of aggression towards me. If they can trust in me, and they are capable to accept me in their world, even defeating their own natural fear to man, I have to respond and trust them too. I could be potentially, much more harmful and dangerous to them. I just want to share this story with you, I know you love animals and you are always fighting against animal suffering, I hope this story makes you feel better, knowing that at least 4 deer are safe and, why not?....... ¡Very happy!. Alejandro G. Cossio Return to Stories |
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