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High technology in use: fawn rescue with drones in Haunetal!
The Rehkitzrettung Hersfeld-Rotenburg association supports farmers free of charge in rescuing fawns using drones.
High technology in use: fawn rescue with drones in Haunetal!
Just before the mowing season, the Fawn Rescue Hersfeld-Rotenburg e.V. has resumed its services and is offering free support to farmers in the Holzheim area, municipality of Haunetal. The voluntary association, which promotes the welfare of animals, relies on modern technology: drones with thermal imaging cameras are used to protect fawns and other young animals from death by mowing. This is very important because the fawns hide in the grass when threatened and are therefore difficult to see. HNA reports that the drones display heat signatures that appear as glowing white dots on a screen.
In the current mowing season, the club plans to carry out between 40 and 60 operations. The association has 93 members, including 21 drone pilots. A new face in the team is Eva Gleim, who has been active since 2023 and provides valuable support as a nurse. When a fawn is found, pick it up carefully with gloves and tufts of grass and place it in a safety box to be released again after mowing.
Education and information for farmers
Despite the association's valuable help, there were farmers who did not know about this free offer. It is all the more gratifying that many of them are grateful for the support. The association would now like to inform more farmers and hunting tenants about the opportunity, and the contact information is on the website rehkitzrettung-hersfeld-rotenburg.de to find. For help and inquiries, first chairwoman Annika Sieber is available on 0151/67108484.
Fawn rescue using drones is not only important locally. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Homeland promotes this technology to strengthen animal welfare. In 2025, funds will be made available again to enable registered hunters' associations, district hunting clubs and fawn rescue clubs to purchase appropriate drones. The aim is to promote the effective location and rescue of fawns from mowing death. Every year, thousands of fawns have no place to survive because they are hidden in dense stands of grass.
Promotion and future of fawn rescue
From 2021 to 2025, the funding, which is worth a total of 2.5 million euros, has already achieved numerous successes. However, not all clubs are eligible to apply. The BLE expects applications to come from registered associations dedicated to saving wild animals. The next application deadline has already passed, and the funding primarily supports the purchase of the necessary technology.
From November 20, 2024, new regulations will also apply that will make it easier to operate drones for animal protection purposes. This is a step in the right direction to make fawn rescue even more effective. With a well-informed network of farmers and hunters, hopefully nothing will stand in the way of a successful mowing season in the spirit of animal protection.