Wildlife Welfare

Wild Roe Deer Welfare and Habitat Management

Roe deer are the most widespread deer species in the UK and face welfare challenges from vehicle collisions, agricultural machinery and population management.

Key Facts

Roe deer are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk when road collision risk is highest
Lawn mowers and combine harvesters kill many deer and fawns during summer
Fawns are left alone by their mothers for much of the day and appear abandoned but are not
Vehicle collisions kill tens of thousands of roe deer annually in the UK
Populations are managed by stalking where they cannot be controlled by natural predation

Welfare Considerations

Roe deer face substantial welfare threats from human infrastructure. Vehicle collisions cause acute trauma and prolonged suffering. Agricultural machinery kills fawns hidden in grass. Well-intentioned members of the public who pick up apparently abandoned fawns typically cause harm rather than help. Population management by skilled stalkers, when necessary, is more welfare-positive than non-targeted trapping.

What You Can Do

Leave apparently abandoned fawns alone - they are almost certainly waiting for their mother
Drive more slowly at dawn and dusk in deer habitats
Support wildlife-sensitive agricultural practices including pre-cut checks for fawns