In a remarkable rescue story from Singapore, a baby sambar deer has been safely reunited with its herd after an extensive two-day search. The week-old fawn was discovered trapped in a deep drain in northern Singapore.

The rescue unfolded on the evening of August 27 when a vigilant member of the wildlife rescue group, Acres, stumbled upon the helpless creature. "It was only about a week old," shared Acres' chief executive, Kalaivanan Balakrishnan.

Out of respect for the animal's safety, Acres withheld specific details regarding the location of the rescue. After being extracted from the drain, the fawn was rushed to the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre, where it received immediate care. The team ensured it was kept warm and properly nourished until they could locate its family.

Recognizing that sambar deer are particularly sensitive to stress, Balakrishnan emphasized the importance of reuniting the fawn with its herd to enhance its chances of survival. After an overnight stay at the rescue center, the team successfully located the herd early on August 29.

In a touching moment, Acres transported the fawn back to where its mother awaited. This marked a significant achievement for Acres as it was the first time they had rescued and returned a sambar deer to the wild.

However, the plight of sambar deer in Singapore is a cause for concern. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as highly at risk of extinction. A 2021 study by the National Parks Board (NParks) estimated that only around 15 individuals remain in the wild.

Interestingly, sambar deer were thought to be extinct in Singapore since 1950, but studies show they have made a surprising comeback after several escaped from local zoos during the 1970s.

These deer now inhabit limited forested regions, prominently in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Timah. NParks has reported an average of three incidents yearly involving motor accidents with sambar deer, underscoring the ongoing challenges these beautiful creatures face in their natural habitat.