Wildlife Protection During Mowing: How Farmers Save Roe Deer Fawns

Ground-nesting birds, young hares, roe deer fawns, and small mammals regularly fall victim to mowing equipment. The Swiss Animal Protection STS appeals to farmers' sense of responsibility. They bear responsibility for the dangers posed by their mowing machinery and must actively prevent the suffering and death of wild animals.

During hay harvesting and grass silage production, countless animals are killed each year by agricultural machinery — including, according to federal hunting statistics, around 1’500 roe deer fawns. The sharp mowing blades shred fawns and young hares that crouch down as danger approaches, and destroy the nests of ground-nesting bird species such as pheasants and partridges. The increasing use of larger and faster mowing machines is heightening the danger for young wildlife.

Searching Meadows Before Mowing Is a Must

Effective and successful young wildlife rescue begins before the actual mowing takes place. Even simple "deterrent methods" (hanging up cloths, construction-site warning flashers, barrier tape attached to stakes) can save lives. Responsible farmers also walk their fields before mowing — or have their meadows searched for roe deer fawns and other animals — and mow from the inside outward to leave wildlife an escape route. Alongside tried-and-tested infrared detection devices for young wildlife rescue, drones equipped with thermal imaging or infrared technology are increasingly being used, particularly in large fields, to locate wild animals.

Successful young wildlife rescue also requires knowledge of how to handle roe deer fawns correctly when found. They should never be touched with bare hands, but instead placed — using gloves or a tuft of grass — into a box and carried out of the danger zone. The location where the fawn was found is marked and avoided during mowing, leaving a small island of grass. After mowing, the fawn is returned to the spot where it was found, so that the doe can locate it again.

Poisoned Hay Harvest

If carcasses of meadow animals end up undetected in the silo after mowing, the decomposition of flesh residues in hay and grass silage produces toxins that can be fatal to cattle and other livestock. A single animal carcass in the mown grass can poison an entire hay harvest. In this way, mowing over young wildlife indirectly causes even more animal suffering. Saving young wildlife is wildlife protection and — as a means of preventing livestock poisoning — is also in the interest of agriculture.