Deer spent weeks with electric rope wrapped around antlers and neck. See rescuers help
A deer was spotted for weeks ensnared in electric rope in a Colorado community, photos show.
The entanglement was so bad, the buck’s broken antler was still attached by the rope around its neck, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Southwest Region said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bayfield residents kept reporting the buck’s location to the agency, and eventually Stephanie Taylor, the district wildlife manager, was able to track the animal’s location to help it.
Taylor tranquilized the buck to cut away the electric rope, which is nylon with metal intertwined, the agency said. Photos show a metal strand wrapped into the yellow nylon.
The rope had “left a nasty gash across the neck of the buck,” the agency said. Photos show the buck’s wound after Taylor cut the rope away.
Then she gave the buck a drug to reverse the effects of the tranquilizer. A photo shows the groggy buck before it fully recovers.
“Within a few minutes, the buck was back on its feet and free of the hazard,” the agency said. “Thanks to the Bayfield locals who helped us catch up to help this buck!”
Officials reminded residents to inspect their yards for potential tangle hazards for the upcoming holiday season.
“Make sure you hang holiday decorations high and wrap them tightly around wherever you’re decorating,” the agency said.
Several people in the comments thanked the agency for rescuing the buck.
“Poor thing,” someone said. “Glad they came across it again.”
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Deer spent weeks with electric rope wrapped around antlers and neck. See rescuers help."
