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Photos: Wildlife officers free deer after weeks with bucket lid on neck

By Brooke Williams,

13 hours ago

DENVER (KDVR) — A mule deer doe that was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers.

CPW said in a post on X that it has been receiving reports about the deer since Aug. 12, and said wildlife managers tried several times to find the doe, immobilize it and remove the lid.

Finally, on Sunday, Chimney Rock District Wildlife Manager Cody Rarick was able to dart the doe with a tranquilizer and remove the lid.

“The deer was issued ear tags so hunters know the animal has recently been tranquilized – trading a necklace for some earrings,” CPW said.

A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
A mule deer doe who was living with the lid of a bucket stuck around its neck for several weeks was finally freed thanks to help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers. Once the lid was removed, CPW said the deer received a reversal drug and was back on its feet. (Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

The doe is a mother of two fawns who stayed close while Rarick helped her.

Once the lid was removed, CPW said the deer received a reversal drug and was back on its feet.

CPW posted videos of the rescue , showing the moment the doe woke up and jumped to its feet before running away to reunite with its fawns.

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Photos: Wildlife officers free deer after weeks with bucket lid on neck

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