On Sunday 18 January 2026, West Sussex Wildlife Protection coordinated a complex rescue operation involving five deer that had been trapped for several months on a building site in Climping, West Sussex.
The site was surrounded by roads on all sides, leaving the deer effectively cut off with no safe escape route. To give the rescue the best possible chance of success, we funded a professional road-closure company to temporarily close one of the surrounding roads. We were then joined by volunteers from our own rescue team, along with experienced volunteers from other wildlife rescues across Sussex.
Safely moving frightened deer is never straightforward, and this was a challenging and highly stressful operation for everyone involved — humans and animals alike. Thanks to careful planning, teamwork and patience, all five deer were successfully guided out of the site and released to safety.
During the operation, one deer collided with a fence and sustained a facial injury that might ordinarily have required stitching. A qualified veterinary nurse on site assessed the situation and advised that attempting treatment would cause further stress and pose a greater risk to the animal. Given the circumstances, immediate release was judged to be the best option. With no risk of fly strike, we expect the deer to recover well.
We are grateful to all the volunteers and professionals who gave their time and expertise to ensure the best possible outcome for these animals. This rescue is a reminder of how vulnerable wildlife can become when development leaves them trapped — and how vital cooperation and rapid action are when that happens.