A young sambar deer found lying beside a Singapore expressway was rescued, treated for severe dehydration and released into a forested area near where it was found the following day. The animal was spotted by a motorist who stopped to prevent it from wandering onto the busy road and called the authorities for help.The fawn was found on November 8 on a grass patch beside the southbound Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), after the KJE exit. Motorist James Lee spotted it at around 2pm while riding his scooter. The deer was lying outside the fencing along the expressway.According to Strait Times, Lee said he was concerned that the animal might stray onto the road and get hit by a vehicle. He stopped his scooter about 100 metres ahead of the deer and ran back to check on it. He also contacted the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), an animal welfare organisation.A Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer riding a motorcycle also spotted the deer and contacted the relevant authorities. NParks and ACRES volunteers arrived at the location about 45 minutes later. It was decided that NParks would handle the rescue.The deer was then taken to the Mandai Wildlife Centre for veterinary treatment. An assessment found that it was weak and severely dehydrated. Veterinarians carried out tests and began treatment to stabilise its condition. After being monitored overnight, the fawn showed improvement and was considered fit for release.
How the deer was rescued beside the expressway
Lee shared details of the encounter in a post on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on November 8. He also uploaded photographs and a video showing the rescue operation.In the video, a man wearing a National Parks Board vest can be seen carrying the deer towards a waiting lorry. He then places the animal on the front passenger seat and holds it on his lap. Two people wearing shirts belonging to ACRES are also seen at the location.Lee said he had recently been involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him paying thousands of dollars for repairs. However, he described finding the deer as a silver lining while returning from the workshop.He explained that he stopped because he did not want the animal to move towards the expressway. He had also heard about traffic accidents involving sambar deer and other wildlife, which made him more concerned about its safety.The motorist initially thought the fawn might have jumped over the fencing installed along both sides of the BKE. However, a local wildlife conservation and education initiative, Save Sambar Deer, later offered another explanation.In a comment on the Facebook post, the initiative said the animal had not crossed the fence by jumping over it. Instead, it may have entered through an unfinished section of the fencing and wandered away from the area before becoming trapped.
Mother deer spotted near the rescued fawn
The rescue also drew attention because the fawn’s mother was reportedly nearby when the animal was being taken away.Lee said he noticed the mother deer lying close to the spot where the fawn was found. She had initially remained out of sight because the fencing blocked the view.As the rescuers prepared to take the young deer away, Lee saw its mother. He later said she ran after the van carrying her baby as it left the area. In his Facebook post, he described the sight as distressing and said he hoped the two would be reunited soon.The rescue operation continued despite the presence of the mother deer. NParks personnel secured the fawn and transported it to the Mandai Wildlife Centre, where it could receive medical attention.Save Sambar Deer later said the young animal had been in a very unstable condition. The initiative suggested that it may have suffered from malnourishment after remaining trapped outside the fencing for some time.The fawn was subsequently handed over to veterinarians under the Mandai Wildlife Group for treatment and monitoring.
Veterinary team treats deer for severe dehydration
In a joint statement on November 9, NParks and Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, shared details of the rescue and the animal’s recovery.NParks said it received information about the juvenile sambar deer at around 2.20pm on November 8. After securing the animal on the same day, the authorities sent it to the Mandai Wildlife Centre for specialised veterinary care.The veterinary team had experience treating sambar deer and other deer species. On examining the animal, the team found that it was weak and severely dehydrated.Veterinarians carried out a full health assessment, which included blood tests and radiographs. These examinations helped the team assess the fawn’s condition before beginning treatment to stabilise it.The animal remained under close observation overnight. Its condition improved during this period, and the veterinary team assessed that it was suitable for release.NParks released the fawn on November 9 in a forested area near the location where it had been found.Save Sambar Deer also updated members of the public about the animal’s release through a comment on the Facebook post. The initiative thanked people for their concern and care for the rescued fawn.Following the incident, NParks and Mandai Nature reminded members of the public not to handle injured wild animals on their own.They advised people who come across wildlife requiring urgent rescue to contact NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre.
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