Bid to save deer called off

Press, 21 July 1982, Page 9

Bid to save deer called off

NZPA Fort Lauderdale Animal preservationists, dispirited after accidentally crushing a young buck, have abandoned efforts to relocate starving Everglades deer as hunters continue to thin the herd.

At least 650 does, small bucks and fawn had been killed by yesterday on the south side of the. Alligator Alley highway. The preservationists, working on the north side of the road under a court settlement. were able to capture only 13 of the deer, who are starving because high water has covered their food. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission had hoped that 1500 deer would be taken from the 130.000 ha southern tract, but officials said that they would be pleased if the herd’ of 4000 was reduced bv 1000.

In a deal made at the week-end after a Federal judge dissolved an injunction blocking the hunt, the antihunt forces had until yesterday to rescue 100 deer from the northern tract to support their contention that relocation could be used to thin an over-populated herd.

The anti-hunt forces gave up after a deer was killed when run over by a rescue team's airboat.

"Go home, were finished." said Cleveland Amory, a leader of the fund for animals.