Hi Mike: I was told that you may be able to help identify the problem with this doe who keeps hanging around our apartment complex. She is very tiny, but there is obviously something wrong with her face – she has large lumps up and down her nose up to her eyes. I’ve attached a photo. We’ve named her Crystal as she made it through the harsh winter – we’re in the Finger Lakes Region of central New York. She will come right up to us and seems very curious about people. She will sit and stare at us while we are outside. She comes within about two feet of me whenever I head outdoors. The local herd of deer chases her off, as though they know something is wrong with her. She’s extremely tiny – her back comes up to waist height and I’m 5’4″. Her coat is very fuzzy compared to other deer around – perhaps her immune system is attempting to fight this off?
Just thought you may be interested in the photo and/or have some information about why she looks the way she does. -Thanks, Heidi Hartman, NY
While this has similarities to the other big-nose deer we’ve posted, I think there is something else going on here related to the brutal winter of 2014. I ran it by QDMA biologist Kip Adams:
Hey Mike: The message/photo you received comes from my part of the country. I’m just over an hour from the Finger Lakes Region. The deer appears to be in poor health – it’s certainly been a tough winter here and her condition likely isn’t helping her case. The fuzzy coat is likely from her reduced health status. I can’t tell from the photo exactly what is wrong but I’m guessing the swelling is injury related or is a result of a serious infection. From the email it sounds like the deer has been around for a while so it may survive and recover, although it would probably be easy picking for a coyote right now. That may be the reason it is hanging so close to Heidi’s house – for protection. -Kip
This is the kind of interesting and unique stuff you find only here on BIG DEER. Hope this little doe survives!
UPDATE from Heidi Monday March 17, 1:35 PM: This little doe came by our place the day of another storm last Wednesday and was drenched and shivering from the freezing rain. Her face was looking a little better, but she seemed to be having a hard time seeing. My heart broke when I saw her as I knew the temperature would be dropping that night below zero with high winds. That was the last time I saw her. We did what we could for her, but with the storm there wasn’t much we could do. I looked for her all day Saturday and Sunday thinking maybe she got lost, but haven’t seen any sign of her. Thanks so much for posting her picture and story here.–Heidi
UPDATE:
Happy to say Crystal arrived on our back patio this morning as we were leaving for work! I’ve never been so happy to see an animal before in my life! She must have followed the herd when the storm hit and moved off for a bit into the deep wods, perhaps. Now she’s back and looking much better. The lumps on her face are almost gone and her coat is a bit less shaggy. I will submit a new photo if she visits again when it is light out and I’m not on my way to the car. : )
Well, sorry to hear that Heidi. She may surprise you and still be out there. Or, perhaps, as we said “nature took its course”. It’s easy to get attached to critters in that situation. Heck, as much as we rail against coyotes, there are plenty of folks out there who would rescue one (see youtube if you don’t believe me). Hopefully Crystal made it and has just moved a bit. Who knows. Thanks for sending that in.
Hi, I’m the person who submitted the picture and questions last week. Crystal was the sweetest wild animal I ever had the honor of coming in contact with. Unfortunately, she came by our place the day of the storm last Wednesday and was drenched and shivering from the freezing rain. Her face was looking a little better, but she seemed to be having a hard time seeing. My heart broke when I saw her as I knew the temperature would be dropping that night below zero with high winds. That was the last time I saw her. We did what we could for her, but with the storm there wasn’t much we could do. I didn’t have a barn or she’d for her to stay in, unfortunately. I looked for her all day Saturday and Sunday thinking maybe she got lost, but haven’t seen any sign of her. Thanks so much for posting her picture and story here!
It is very sad to see a deer in such a condition and I only hope she is not suffering.
My brain tells me to let her deal with nature, etc. My heart tells me to call the DNR and have them capture her. Maybe they can learn about her ailment, and/or maybe they could just take her to an animal shelter (wild animals). Of course, most would just say let nature takes its course. Honestly, the DNR would her and then maybe take the carcass to a lab for testing. Poor gal…
Dean Hanback here, in this case I agree w/you…had not though of that. The DNR should go and capture this deer and send here to a farm that “rescues” animals. Normally I would say lest nature be, but this winter has been so brutal, this little doe making it to be released later this summer would be a great thing.