An early summer morning in St. Stefan im Rosental. The air is cool, the grass still damp with dew. When our team arrives at 6.00 a.m., one thing is clear: today, every minute counts. That’s because with the first sunlight comes danger – for fawns lying in the fields, invisible to the naked eye. 

Why fawns are particularly at risk – and how drones can help 

In the first few weeks of their lives, fawns are often placed and hidden well in the tall grass by their mothers. They lie there almost motionless – an innate protective behaviour against predators. However, it is precisely this behaviour that is their downfall as soon as agricultural machinery such as mowers are used. They do not flee – even at high noise levels. Thus, every year, thousands of young animals die an avoidable death. 

This is where drone technology comes into effect: With the help of a DJI Matrice 300 RTK and the high-resolution H20T camera, a structured search grid is flown in split view (here, thermal and RGB images are displayed simultaneously side by side). The flight path is digitally documented – so no section goes unnoticed. The drone pilot continuously observes the thermal image in combination with the RGB camera. If a potential heat source is detected, the drone is flown closer manually and the flight altitude is lowered to around 10 to 20 metres. This makes it possible to clearly verify whether it is a fawn – or a pheasant or adult deer, for example. This is because these animals usually flee as soon as they sense humans close by or machine noise. Fawns, on the other hand, remain motionless – and would be almost impossible to find without technical aids.

Precision and cooperation: team success

As soon as a fawn is identified, the coordinated rescue begins: ground personnel are informed by radio (walkie-talkie). The drone remains hovering over the animal so that the helpers can be guided carefully and in a targeted manner to the location – often supported by the visual assessment of the operator, who not only sees the animal from the air, but also the approaching helpers.

This precise cooperation is only possible through the interaction of all those involved: hunters, farmers, experienced animal protectionists and volunteers complement each other on site with technical expertise and local knowledge – in the end, what counts most for the animals is that every movement is right and every action is coordinated.

Two lives saved – and many hearts touched

Two fawns were discovered during this operation in St. Stefan im Rosental. One of them was already slightly older and could not be captured due to its mobility – it actively avoided the rescuers. However, the drone remained in the air and allowed the team to monitor and guide the fawn to the edge of the forest. There it was possible to observe how it met the waiting mother. Only this clear reunion marked the moment when the rescue was deemed successful.

The second fawn was significantly younger, around one to two weeks old. It was carefully rescued, placed in a transport box and released in the presence of experienced helpers and rangers at a safe distance from the danger zone, but within the mother’s search radius at the edge of the forest. The choice of release location is crucial – too close to people and machines is a risk of danger, too far away is a risk of losing contact with the mother. This is where both experience and empathy matter most. 

‘When I was allowed to release the little fawn into the forest, it was one of those rare moments when you realise that everything has come together – technology, nature, people. It was quiet – and very moving at the same time.’ 
– Kordula, volunteer helper

Technology in the service of animal welfare – and everyone can help

Operations like this impressively demonstrate what is possible when modern technology meets commitment, experience and cooperation. The local farmer was extremely grateful, as were the hunters, who were actively involved. Experienced fawn rescuers from the greater Graz area were also involved and made a significant contribution to the success of the project.

Anyone who would also like to take part in fawn rescue is very welcome: The City of Graz coordinates training courses and missions for volunteers. After all, protecting young wild animals is a shared responsibility – and every helping hand counts.

 Further information and opportunities to get involved: City of Graz – fawn rescue

Guideline update on UAS-assisted wildlife detection now online

The 4th edition of our guide to UAS-assisted wildlife detection before mowing work has been published! This edition focuses on tried-and-tested best practices and targeted training – for even more efficient and safer operations in the coming season.

The 4th edition of the guidelines for UAS-based detection of wild animals before mowing work can be found here: https://airlabs.at/en/update-guidelines-for-uas-based-detection-of-wild-animals-before-mowing-work/