On the 19th of April 2019, a husband was killed, and his wife seriously injured whilst feeding their pet male Californian Wapiti deer. A week prior to the incident the deer had its antlers entangled in a wire around a tree requiring assistance to become disentangled, it was noted that the deer’s behaviour changed following this event.
Tragically, it appears that the deer may have again been entangled in wire fencing the morning of the incident, and whilst trying to free it, the man has lost his life. His wife whilst trying to save her husband also suffered significant injuries that required an airlift to Melbourne for treatment.
The Australian Deer Association was contacted to provide evidence in relation to the tragic event.
The association advised that whilst kept in captivity, deer species (except for reindeer) have never been domesticated. It noted that whilst there had been several recorded incidents of deer attacking humans whilst in captivity, the occurrence in the wild is incredibly rare. The mating season or ‘rut’ in Australia typically occurs in late March and runs for four to five weeks, during this period deer fight amongst themselves and are prepared to attack one another in order to mate successfully. Whilst in this phase they would also not distinguish between a human and another deer, and thus can display those same rut tendencies towards humans.
The association wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the family for their loss.
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