First responders in Michigan pulled off an unusual rescue this week after finding a deer trapped in a one-foot gap between concrete barriers along an Oakland County highway.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office got the call around 2 p.m. Monday when a driver phoned Auburn Hills police to report that a deer had been hit by a vehicle and was now wedged in the narrow space dividing the northbound and southbound lanes.
Police called in the sheriff’s search and rescue team for backup. Using a technical truck and heavy-duty straps, the crew carefully lifted the animal out of the concrete trap. The operation took about an hour.
“Their diligence, training, and hard work paid off, enabling them to rescue the young deer and transfer it to a wildlife rehabilitation center,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
Witnesses who had stopped nearby said the deer appeared exhausted but alert after being freed. Officials said it was lucky that the animal was spotted before traffic picked up or before it was hurt further trying to escape.
Rescue crews said getting the deer out safely required teamwork and patience since the barriers were only about a foot apart and there was little room to maneuver. The team worked slowly to keep the animal calm and avoid injury to both the deer and the rescuers.
Once freed, the deer was placed in a transport vehicle and taken to a local wildlife center for evaluation and care. Officials said they expect the animal to recover and eventually be released back into the wild.
The Sheriff’s Office praised everyone involved for responding so quickly, saying the call could have ended much differently if not for the fast actions of the driver who reported it and the officers who stepped in.
It’s not the first time Oakland County’s search and rescue team has handled a tricky animal rescue, but officials admitted this one was “definitely one of the strangest.”
As of Tuesday, the young deer was being monitored by veterinarians, and officials said it seemed to be in good spirits after its unexpected highway adventure.
Drivers in the area were reminded to stay alert, especially during the fall when deer are more active and often cross highways unexpectedly. The Sheriff’s Office said this rescue serves as a good reminder of how dangerous these encounters can be — both for animals and motorists.
What started as a call about a car accident ended with a life saved and a few relieved rescuers. As one officer put it, “We were just happy to give that deer another chance to run free.”
