258 Fawns Rescued as part of Save Bambi Pilot Project

During a recent follow-up meeting, Luxembourg's Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Claude Haagen, the heads of the non-profit organisation Sauvons Bambi Luxembourg and six partner municipalities drew a positive assessment of the "Save Bambi" pilot project launched in April 2023.

The main objective of this project was to help farmers protect young fawns from lawnmowers, since the mowing season coincides with the deer birthing season. Since the start of this campaign in spring 2023, Sauvons Bambi Luxembourg has rescued 258 fawns in the Grand Duchy, including 77 (30%) in the territory of the six pilot partner municipalities (Garnich, Steinfort, Habscht, Koerich, Saeul and Beckerich).

To succeed in these rescue operations, the volunteer drone pilots of the non-profit organisation worked in consultation with farmers, hunters and municipal officials serving the protection of wild animals. The Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development recalled that a recurring problem is that young fawns instinctively remain frozen and hidden in the tall grass when faced with agricultural machines. To save them, volunteer drone pilots fly over agricultural plots at the request of farmers, locate the fawns using thermal cameras and remove them before mowing begins. After mowing, the fawns are released unharmed into their original territory with their mother.

"The number of fawns saved exceeds our expectations and this aid programme has been requested by many farmers, well beyond the territories of the six municipalities participating in the pilot project. It is obvious that this initiative has the potential to be extended to other rural municipalities which have already indicated their interest. The 'Save Bambi' initiative protects both the lives of fawns and the interests of our farmers who can thus mow with more peace of mind," explained Minister Haagen.

Save Bambi Luxembourg has expressed the need for additional pilots and helpers during the mowing period, from the beginning of April to mid-July. Without these volunteers, the scale of this pilot project may not be able to be expanded. As such, the non-profit organisation has launched a call for drone pilots and volunteers, in order to ensure a more professional operation of the project. Further information is available via email: contact@sauvonsbambi.lu.

The Agriculture Ministry co-finances the logistical costs, particularly drone equipment, of the "Save Bambi" project, as part of an agreement with the partner municipalities.