Unfortunately not uncommon during the mowing season: in the district of Murau in Styria, deer-nate, deer-bekka and deer-ne were laid down by their mothers in the tall grass to protect them from predators. This is the instinct of the animals. But the instinct of deer does not recognise modern mowing machines. All three fawns were hit by a mower and suffered life-threatening injuries. They each lost a leg. Such terrible accidents can easily be prevented – with the right protective measures.
The fawn Reh-nate was carefully hidden by her mother in the midst of tall meadows. She should be protected there from predators. The mother normally returns at regular intervals to suckle her young. If predators approach, the young animals’ so-called “shirking instinct” kicks in. Instead of fleeing, the young animals remain motionless in their hiding place in the grass. But the deer’s instinct does not recognise modern mowing machines. One deer, for example, was fatally injured by the sharp blades of the machines. There are appropriate protective measures that farmers must take before the hay harvest, but unfortunately these measures are not always adhered to. “All farmers are called upon to take appropriate measures to protect the fawns from such a cruel death or mutilation,” says managing director and foundation board member Dieter Ehrengruber. Gut Aiderbichl also takes these protective measures, as it produces most of the hay for the animals itself.
Special wildlife warning devices can prevent accidents with animals
Special wildlife alarms, which are attached to the mowing vehicle, startle the fawns with a loud sound and thus prevent accidents. “Unfortunately, this only works for fawns that have already reached a certain age,” says Sepp Enzinger, agricultural manager at Gut Aiderbichl. “Before that, only the use of drones helps. We therefore generally recommend postponing the mowing season.” At Gut Aiderbichl, the meadows are therefore mowed as late as possible. In addition, the mowers on Gut Aiderbichl’s fields work from the “inside out”. This gives the fawns the opportunity to flee the field as soon as the wildlife alarm sounds.
