Drone-Assisted Rescue of Deer by Hunters in Trier Region
In Trier, Germany, hunting associations are utilizing drones to safeguard deer fawns from a fatal encounter with lawnmowers. Our correspondent, Lara Dudek, was present during one of these rescue missions.
At half past four in the morning, a dedicated team of four volunteers from the Landesjagdverband Kreisgruppe Trier-Saarburg, led by Alwin Hontheim, head of the Hegering Kyll, Sauer, and Stadt Trier, initiated their operation. For these volunteers, the early morning routine has become a habit, having been on the fields and meadows every morning for the past three weeks.
The objective: locate and rescue deer fawns from harm's way, preventing them from becoming victims of farming lawnmowers. Lara Dudek was granted the opportunity to join the team for the day's mission, which took place on the rural lands of Thomas Görres, a farmer from Besslich.
Preparations for the mission were swift. The drone, equipped with a thermal imaging camera, was readied for takeoff. The team's experienced pilots assumed control, as drone operation requires a specialized license. Cold and damp conditions proved ideal for locating the deer fawns using the drone's thermal imaging technology.
Finding the fawns was equally thrilling for Thomas Görres, who expressed gratitude for the rescue team's assistance. Farmers like Görres strive to ensure that no fawns are endangered before mowing their fields, making it a point to communicate the task areas to the fawn rescue team.
Once a fawn was located, the team coordinated promptly to rescue the young animal, transporting it to a plastic box for safekeeping, and returning it to its field after an hour. The process aims to minimize fawn stress and prevent them from taking on the rescuer's scent, making it easier for their mothers to identify and continue caring for them.
In Trier, this initiative has garnered significant support, with numerous farmers taking advantage of the service and prioritizing the welfare of deer fawns. The state hunting association reported that many hundreds of animals have been saved in recent weeks. Alwin Hontheim and his team plan to continue offering the service next year, citing the deep, grateful eyes of the fawns that make the early mornings worthwhile.
In light of this operation, the integration of technology, such as drones and thermal imaging cameras, is vital in ensuring the lifestyle and safety of deer fawns. General-news coverage of this innovative approach, spearheaded by Alwin Hontheim and his team, highlights the combination of modern technology and traditional hunting practices.
