A sambar deer that was found weak and dehydrated along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) has been released at the same location after being treated by the authorities.
In a post on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group that day, nature lover James Lee said he had spotted the fawn on Sunday (8 Nov).
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
Mr Lee said he had been unhappy at being the victim of a recent hit-and-run accident that caused him to fork out thousands in repairs, but “there was a silver lining of sorts”.
While riding his scooter on the way back from the workshop, he came across the sambar deer by the BKE.
His photos showed that it was lying in the grass outside the fencing that prevents wildlife from wandering into the expressway.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
As fences were installed along both sides of the BKE, Mr Lee assumed that the fawn had jumped over.
Mr Lee said he stopped his scooter as he was afraid that the deer would stray onto the busy road.
He also called the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), an animal welfare charity.
Coincidentally, a Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer on his motorcycle also spotted the deer and had also called the relevant authorities.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
After about 45 minutes, both NParks and ACRES arrived, Mr Lee said.
It was decided that NParks would handle the case, though the two ACRES volunteers were “friendly”, he added.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
His video showed two men — one in an NParks vest and another an Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) contractor — grabbing the fawn as it squealed.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
It was then carried by the NParks officer to a waiting truck.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
As the fawn was being taken to the truck, Mr Lee remarked with surprise that he saw its mother lying down nearby.
However, she was initially hidden from view by the fencing.
This did not stop the rescue, with the fawn eventually cradled in the front passenger seat of the truck.
Source: James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
Mr Lee said that its mother ran after the van as it left, which was “such a pitiful sight”.
In a comment on the post, local wildlife conservation and education initiative Save Sambar Deer clarified that the fawn did not turn up at that spot by jumping over the fence.
In fact, it had crossed the fence through an unfinished section and possibly wandered off and got trapped, it said.
Updating netizens on its condition, Save Sambar Deer said it was found in “a very unstable condition”, most likely due to malnourishment after being trapped outside the fence for some time.
It was thus handed over to veterinarians under the Mandai Wildlife Group (MWG), who were trying to stabilise its condition.
In another comment on Monday (9 Nov), Save Sambar Deer said the fawn was released at the same spot where it was found, and thanked the public for their care and concern.
In a statement provided to The Straits Times (ST), NParks and MWG conservation arm Mandai Nature said that after securing the deer, it was sent to the Mandai Wildlife Centre, where it received specialised care from veterinarians experienced with deer.
The fawn was found to be weak and severely dehydrated, and treatment to stabilise it started immediately.
It was also given a full health assessment, including blood tests and radiographs.
The fawn’s condition improved overnight, and it was then assessed to be suitable for release.
It was thus released by NParks in a forested area near where it was found.
MS News has reached out to NParks for more information.
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Featured image adapted from James Lee via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook.