Small Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) Found with Signs of Injury or Illness

Observation by David Harmes:

This tiny deer walked all the way from over a quarter of a mile away to me. The deer came within 3 feet of me. I actually became concerned it would come up and rub against me. About half way, while I watched, it appeared to stop and drink out of the ocean. When it got close, I could see that it was drooling (the drool looked green). It’s jaw, looked out of line, or maybe broken. It also has an open wound, on the very rear of its right hip, just below the tail, about 3 inches in diameter. It is not bleeding, just raw (I saw the deer try and lick the wound). In some ways it looked like a bite. It looks too small for a bear, and too big for a fox. If there were loose big dogs on the island, I might think that. In any case, I have no idea for sure what is wrong with this deer, or how it got hurt. After thinking about the injury, and the overall health of this small deer, I wonder if it is so sick that a fox started to eat it, while it lay on the ground. By size the deer is a very late yearling, or a very early fawn. In any rate, it is very small for a year old deer, or a deer on its own (small yearling or large fawn). I do not think it could weigh 50 pounds.

Nathan Svobada, Kodiak Area Wildlife Biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, wrotes:

Thank you for your report and the information regarding the sick deer on Amook Island. It certainly sounds like the animal is injured and/or ill and its long term chances of survival are likely bleak. However, since there are no signs of trauma and there is not a significant disease transmission risk that would warrant travel to the site for dispatching the animal, it is our policy in these types of cases to let nature take its course.

Please let me know if you notice any further developments (e.g., death) of this animal and we can respond appropriately. Thank you for your time and report. Your efforts are much appreciated. 9/17/2018

Comments from LEO Editors:

Injured animals can be reported to ADFG online. Requested information includes the date, time, and location of the encounter as well as the species of the animal, number of animals encountered, and a description of the injury. Erica Lujan