Backyard tragedy
A sad tableau has been taking place in my backyard for the past several days.
Like many urban/suburban environments we have become well populated with deer, hawks, turkeys, raccoons, fox, coyotes etc. The animals which no doubt once lived here undisturbed, and have adjusted to life among people and houses. We live in uneasy peace, enjoying watching them at times, and railing against their consumption of our ornamental plants and birdfood at others.
Of course when it comes to babies, we appreciate the chance to watch them grow close up.
A tiny fawn - barely bigger than a long legged cat - has been running back and forth, bleating like a little goat, approaching with great intent any adult deer it spots, only to be repeatedly rejected by those adults, kicked at and even stomped on.
This tale, we fear, had it's origins in a thoughtless human who picked the tiny creature up and held it to show it to some neighbor children. From what we can read on-line, the human scent makes deer vulnerable to predators, putting the herd at risk as well, so he is cast out. Now we see the ugly side of our relationship to nature, one that is broken; this little fellow the victim of our interference. There is no way to mend the harm - though we keep hoping some adult deer will take pity on him and adopt him.
It has been nearly three days of searching for our little guy.
Like many urban/suburban environments we have become well populated with deer, hawks, turkeys, raccoons, fox, coyotes etc. The animals which no doubt once lived here undisturbed, and have adjusted to life among people and houses. We live in uneasy peace, enjoying watching them at times, and railing against their consumption of our ornamental plants and birdfood at others.
Of course when it comes to babies, we appreciate the chance to watch them grow close up.
A tiny fawn - barely bigger than a long legged cat - has been running back and forth, bleating like a little goat, approaching with great intent any adult deer it spots, only to be repeatedly rejected by those adults, kicked at and even stomped on.
This tale, we fear, had it's origins in a thoughtless human who picked the tiny creature up and held it to show it to some neighbor children. From what we can read on-line, the human scent makes deer vulnerable to predators, putting the herd at risk as well, so he is cast out. Now we see the ugly side of our relationship to nature, one that is broken; this little fellow the victim of our interference. There is no way to mend the harm - though we keep hoping some adult deer will take pity on him and adopt him.
It has been nearly three days of searching for our little guy.