A deer in distress was rescued from Victoria Beach in Cobourg on Friday, May 28, 2021.
A number of people reported seeing at least one deer on streets in the downtown area of Cobourg on Friday morning.
Cobourg Police Constable Jay Salisbury said police received calls about the young buck in the inner harbour.
“He had swam across to the west pier. We lost sight of him, but he swam up out of the lake on shore.”
The lake was choppy at the time with high winds buffeting the shoreline.
The deer was upright for sometime, but eventually collapsed on the beach.
Cobourg Police, Cobourg By-Law, Parks Department, Works Department and a off-duty firefighter worked to come up with a plan to save the deer.
“It could be a number of things whether he was hypothermic or had taken on water and was near drowning – it’s hard to say.”
There were no obvious physical injuries on the deer.
“The last thing we want to do, unless we absolutely have to is to put a deer down.
At first, the group wanted to see if the deer would regain its strength and move on, but when it was obvious it wasn’t the group decided to act.
When off-duty firefighter Rick Martin placed a blanket over the deer it made a “distress sound,” Salisbury said.
“He’s just scared at that point but that tells me he’s still alive and still has some kick left.”
The and the group tied its legs together so it would not kick and injure anyone. It was then gently placed in a large box and transferred to Sandy Pines Wildlife Animal Shelter in Napanee.
“I think he does have a chance so I’m glad we went that route.”
Salisbury praised the efforts of the group.
“I think he does have a chance so I’m glad we went that route.”
Martin updated Today’s Northumberland and said the deer is still alive at Sandy Pines Wildlife Animal Shelter and has been given sedation at this time.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
