Rescuers Find Baby Deer Grieving Beside Mother's Dead Body
Have you ever seen the classic Disney film “Bambi”? If so, there’s probably one particular scene that stands out vividly.
This might constitute a spoiler alert, but remember that the movie was released way back in 1942. Bambi’s mother is tragically killed halfway through the story.
It’s a devastating moment for most viewers, and recently, it played out in real life.
This time, the tragedy took place in Alachua County, Florida. Jacksonville-based WJXT reports that Kelly Dugger came upon the scene while she was commuting to work.
Dugger is an employee at Alachua County Fire Rescue. On the fateful morning in question, she was driving to the headquarters building.
Dugger slowed down immediately when she realized that a mother deer had been struck and killed on the roadway, probably sometime overnight. But there was something else she noticed close beside the mother’s body, as well.
It was a tiny baby deer.
“Beside the mother was this little guy, a 1-2 day old fawn sitting by her side grieving the loss of his mother,” a Facebook post from ACFR reads.
Dugger realized this fragile wee one was probably at an utter loss. After all, without his mama, he had absolutely nowhere else to go.
The kindly good Samaritan’s Facebook page shows exactly what happened next.
First, Dugger swaddled this scared little fellow in a soft green towel. Then, she gently lifted him into her car.
Like most folks, Dugger probably wasn’t quite sure what kind of ongoing care the orphaned baby deer needed, but she didn’t want to waste time getting him out of harm’s way.
So she and her newly rescued charge headed straight for the ACFR headquarters office. There, her co-workers warmed the little guy up and showered him with reassuring TLC.
If you want to see some additional snapshots that will truly melt your heart, visit Dugger’s Facebook page and the Facebook page for ACFR.
After making sure their new four-legged friend was safe and content, ACFR entrusted the fawn to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These caring experts will make sure he grows up in a nurturing environment, with lots of other deer by his side.
In an official statement, ACFR applauded Dugger’s compassionate and quick thinking.
“Kelly’s actions this morning are a direct reflection of Alachua County’s mission to enhance and care for the lives of those in our community,” the statement reads.
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