The Upper Lusatian Roe Deer Fawn Rescuers have presented their 2026 season figures: according to the group, 130 roe deer fawns and two red deer calves were rescued from being killed by mowing this year. The operations focused on areas around Weißenberg, Hochkirch and Kubschütz at the Upper Lusatia.
The work centres on thermal imaging drones, which volunteer teams use to survey grassland before farmers mow it. According to the group, 69 flights were carried out over 25 days during the season, covering 742 hectares. Its own team rescued 68 fawns; together with partner pilots and volunteers, the total came to 130 roe deer fawns and two red deer calves. The locations where animals are found are reported to farms so that mowing dates can be adjusted or parts of fields left uncut. The 2026 season has ended; as usual, most operations took place in the early morning, from spring to early summer.
Beyond the immediate rescue of young animals, the group points to projects aimed at improving habitats. These include planting hedgerows, enhancing the ecology of a natural pond in the Weißenberg district of Drehsa and a reintroduction project for pheasants. The aim is to create places of refuge and, in the longer term, reduce the need for urgent rescues.
According to the group, its work is funded mainly through donations and crowdfunding. It would welcome additional equipment, such as a second drone or an earth auger for planting. The group stresses that close cooperation with farmers and hunting communities is vital to the effectiveness of its operations.
Practical guidance on rescuing fawns emphasises that drone flights in the very early morning achieve the best detection rates, because temperature contrasts are greatest then. At the same time, disturbance to wildlife should be kept to a minimum, and habitats should be developed structurally so that young animals can find shelter. Figures published in recent years from Saxony suggest that local initiatives using drones combine immediate rescue work with preventive measures. Volunteers say the question remains how to make grant schemes and municipal support reliable, and how to coordinate mowing plans and technology more widely in future.
The data, locations and projects cited come from the group’s season report and regional coverage; assessments and outlooks are identified as context.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).