Record number of fawns saved by Swiss drone volunteers

Thousands of fawns were saved from the blades of mowers thanks to volunteers equipped with drones with thermal imaging cameras. With a total of 6,451 animals rescued, a new record was set this year. According to figures released by the Roe Deer Rescue Association, a total of 722 teams helped to rescue small ungulates from the tall grass of agricultural fields, places considered a safe haven for these mammals. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The drones flew over a total area of 62,693 hectares - equivalent to about 620 square kilometres - 20,304 hectares more than in 2024, when 5,159 roe deer were rescued. The particularly mild and sunny spring weather made drone overflights more efficient. At the same time, the warmer season led to more births in fields. In rainy years, does tend to avoid wet meadows and leave their young in the woods. In the period from late spring to early summer, female roe deer normally give birth to one or two young, with their ...