Motorists are being urged to take care along the Manston Road after another sighting of a Fallow Buck first spotted in Thanet last month.
Security boss Keith Tilbury spotted the animal near the Manston Road Recycling Centre today {November 23} and posted to social media to warn others to be on the look out. There are fears the animal could be injured because he has been running from the fields and into surrounding roads.
Keith said: “I saw it running across the fields so stopped traffic as knew it would come onto road.”
The buck was first seen wandering on the isle last month and is thought to be in search for females during the rutting season.
The animal has been seen in areas including Manston and in fields off Shottendane Road.
Last month he was caught on film by Margate mum Liz Miller who said she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
The 48-year-old nature-lover said she called 101 as the buck looked distressed and appeared to be trapped by barriers along the field. She was also worried it may run into the road.
Although an uncommon sight in Thanet, there are Roe and Fallow deer wild in areas such as Blean and Hoath as well as those in captivity at sites including Wildwood and further afield at Knole in Sevenoaks.
Wildwood, which has two herds of deer, says although not technically native, they are regarded as naturalised in the UK and are now widespread.
The rutting season is between September and November and males can become aggressive and territorial, using their antlers to ward off any rival bucks. They can cover large distances in the search for a female.
Wildwood says deer tend to shelter in woodlands by day and emerge to feed in open areas during the night, but are active throughout the 24 hour period.
Grass makes up around 60% of their diet but they will eat a variety of plant material such as herbs, acorns, and fruits.
Wildwood and Kent Wildlife Trust have previously been contacted in case a welfare check is needed.
Facts from Wildwood
- Fallow deer are the UK’s most common deer species.
- Males are called “bucks” and females are called “does”.
- Only bucks have antlers and they don’t start to develop until they are 2-3 years of age.
- During the rut, bucks have “rutting stands”; a spot where they display and groan and does visit them to mate.
