Terrestrial Wildlife

Roe Deer Welfare and Agricultural Machinery Mortality in UK

Roe deer fawns born in May and June are highly vulnerable to mortality from silage cutting and other agricultural machinery operations, as fawns instinctively lie still when threatened rather than fleeing, and are invisible in long grass.

Key Facts

Roe deer give birth in May and June, coinciding with the first silage cut on UK farms
Fawns lie motionless for their first weeks of life as a predator avoidance strategy
Agricultural mowers and combine harvesters kill thousands of fawns annually across the UK
Thermal drone surveys before cutting can detect fawns and allow rescue before mowing
This mortality is largely invisible as carcasses are typically destroyed by machinery

Welfare Considerations

Machinery strikes cause traumatic mutilation and death, or severe injury requiring euthanasia. Fawns that evade direct strikes but are orphaned by the death of their mother face slow starvation or death from exposure. The thermal drone detection technology exists and is cost-effective but uptake among farmers remains patchy. Welfare improvement is achievable through technology adoption.

What You Can Do

If you are a farmer, arrange thermal drone surveys before silage cutting
Support Farm Wildlife Advisory groups distributing thermal drone guidance
Report found fawns to local wildlife rescue centres — do not pick up unless in immediate danger
Donate to Deer Initiative fawn detection programs
Advocate for subsidies for farmer adoption of drone survey technology