Sauvons Bambi Luxembourg; Credit: Claudine Bosseler

Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture has announced launch of a call for applications for drone pilots and volunteer helpers to take part in rescue operations for young fawns during the 2026 agricultural mowing season.

The initiative, run by the non-profit organisation Sauvons Bambi (Save Bambi) Luxembourg ASBL and supported by the ministry, aims to help farmers to protect young fawns from mowing machinery, as the mowing season coincides with the deer birthing period.

To carry out these rescue operations, volunteer drone pilots from the association work in close cooperation with farmers and helpers on the ground. Before mowing begins, farmers contact members of the organisation, who then fly over agricultural plots using drones equipped with thermal cameras to detect the young animals. Once located, helpers carefully move the fawns to safety before the machines pass and release them again once mowing is completed.

Applicants do not need prior drone-flying experience. The association provides full training in the use of drones equipped with thermal cameras, which is essential for detecting animals in meadows. Save Bambi Luxembourg currently operates with ten drones. Volunteers must hold the A1/A3 drone licence, which they can obtain free of charge through online training and examination. The organisation also requests the A2 licence for the 2026 campaign.

Save Bambi Luxembourg is also seeking volunteers who do not wish to pilot drones but are willing to assist as helpers. The aim is to assist the pilot, removing animals from the meadows before mowing, and releasing them again in a safe area.

A typical campaign starts around the end of April and ends in mid-July. The association will schedule training sessions between February and April 2026. During the first missions, experienced volunteers will accompany new pilots, who will operate independently only after the trainers have duly certified them.

Interventions depend closely on weather conditions and farmers’ schedules. They take place very early in the morning, at sunrise, around 05:00 and late in the morning or early in the afternoon. In some cases, operations may resume in the late afternoon if mowing takes place in the evening.

The profile of volunteers sought includes:

  • availability from the end of April to mid-July, mainly in the morning;

  • ability to intervene occasionally for periods ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the situation;

  • good physical condition and comfort in agricultural terrain (meadows, tall grass, fences, ditches);

  • willingness to get up very early, several days in a row;

  • a serious, organised and reliable attitude, with ease in using digital tools.

An information meeting for interested persons will take place on Saturday 7 February 2026 from 09:00 to 12:00 in the Duerfzenter community hall in Kahler, in the municipality of Garnich. Interested participants are asked to confirm their attendance by email at contact@sauvonsbambi.lu.