Wading River NY
2-25-2024 4:13pm

"Deer in Long Island Saved from Plastic Peril: Reunited with Herd After Daring Rescue"

"Collaborative Efforts Lead to Success! Witness the Heartwarming Video of the Rescued Deer Thriving in its Natural Habitat."

"Deer's Tale of Resilience: Liberated after a 10-day struggle with a plastic container on its head, a compassionate community, and a devoted animal rescue advocate join forces for a Friday night rescue mission. Now, the deer enjoys safety, happiness, and a heartwarming reunion with its pack in the enchanting woods of Wading River, NY."

In an unwavering display of compassion and dedication, Frankie Floridia from Strong Island Animal Rescue poured relentless effort over a span of 10 days to rescue a distressed deer. The saga unfolded after the deer was initially sighted on Sound Breeze Trail/Great Rock Drive in Wading River. Undeterred by the challenges, Floridia's tireless commitment played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and liberation of the trapped creature, showcasing the indomitable spirit of those who champion the well-being of animals in need.

In a heartening turn of events, the exclamation "Saved!" resonates triumphantly this week. Confirmation has emerged that the resilient doe, once burdened by a jar on her head, has seamlessly rejoined her herd, reclaiming the rhythm of her everyday life. Since the daring rescue unfolded last Friday night, diligent monitoring and dedicated care have been paramount. Ensuring she partakes in essential nourishment, the compassionate efforts have successfully steered her back to a state of normalcy. Witnessing her vibrant return to routine, she not only thrives but radiates vitality, a testament to the unwavering commitment that has rejuvenated her spirit.

Expressing profound relief, he emphasized, "We are overjoyed to have reached her in the nick of time, averting a potential tragedy. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce the enlistment of several new volunteers in the Wading River area, bolstering our response capabilities for swift action when the need arises. It's a testament to the power of teamwork – a collective effort that consistently proves instrumental in saving these vulnerable lives. As we celebrate this successful rescue, we are reminded that united efforts are the backbone of our ability to protect and safeguard the wildlife in our community."

Following the rescue, Floridia shared that he maintained surveillance cameras in the vicinity for an additional few days, ensuring continued monitoring of the doe's post-rescue well-being and integration back into her natural environment.

Undoubtedly, her rescue stands as a testament to the unwavering determination of a dedicated team committed to saving her, emphasized Floridia. Post-rescue, he expressed gratitude for the incredible community support, noting, "The community has been amazing—keeping a watchful eye on her and providing regular updates to ensure she continues to thrive and do well."

Floridia acknowledged the heartwarming unity within the community, stating, "The community formed a chain of love to save the deer. This was a tremendous group effort between Strong Island and the residents." The collaborative spirit between Strong Island and the local residents played a crucial role in the successful rescue, underscoring the impactful outcomes achievable through collective determination and care.

Expressing gratitude, Floridia highlighted the incredible support from residents who generously opened their yards for the search and organized group texts to keep him informed about the deer's whereabouts. "It was amazing," he exclaimed, underscoring the community's invaluable role in facilitating the rescue efforts with their collaborative and responsive approach.

Stressing the preventable nature of the deer's distress, Floridia underscored, "This is human error; it happened because someone didn't recycle properly." He emphasized the importance of correct recycling methods, advocating for crushing jars and securing lids on large containers to avert such incidents. Additionally, he highlighted the critical role of locking garbage cans in safeguarding wildlife from unintended harm. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility to practice mindful waste disposal for the well-being of both animals and the environment.

In a determined effort, Floridia deployed advanced equipment, including cellular trail cameras and thermal cameras. Undeterred, he embarked on multiple walks through the trails, vigilantly scouring the surroundings. The commitment extended into late hours, with Floridia staying up until 4 a.m., fueled by a desperate hope for any sightings of the deer on the surveillance cameras. His tireless dedication and use of technology underscore the lengths to which he went to ensure the safety and rescue of the trapped deer.

Dispelling rumors, Floridia clarified that contrary to speculation, there was no hole in the bucket. The resilient deer endured an arduous 10 days without food, water, and with minimal air. Addressing false reports of the deer's demise, he firmly stated, "She's not dead." The turning point came when a concerned neighbor spotted her in their front yard, prompting a strategic plan to contain her in a yard for a smoother and safer removal of the container from her head. The accuracy of information is crucial in understanding the challenges and triumphs of this remarkable rescue mission.

Neighbors Jeff Witt and Jeff Turano displayed remarkable compassion by strategically placing food in front of a sump, aiming to entice the deer into the area. Despite witnessing her pack feeding nearby, the confused deer persistently attempted to eat, unaware of the impediment on her head. Floridia observed, "She didn't understand that there was something on her head," highlighting the animal's instinctual drive and the challenges faced in conveying assistance to a distressed creature.

With the deer successfully corralled into the sump area, Floridia prepared himself, donning boots and gear. Recounting the pivotal moment, he shared, "They texted me back that they'd shut the gates and she was in. I knew, at that point, that it was our playing field. Other times, she'd trot off and was gone. Now, it was us against that jar; we just had to get it. The prize was there; it was just a matter of how fast we could remove it in a way that was least stressful for her." The rescue operation intensified as the team focused on delicately liberating the deer from its ordeal.

With the 120 lb. deer strategically flanked, Floridia employed a "very powerful" 65,000 lumen light to blind her, creating an opportunity for intervention. Describing the critical moment, he explained, "I tackled her," overcoming the challenge of maneuvering both hands inside the tightly wedged container. Utilizing a combination of his strength and the deer's cooperation, they worked in tandem to delicately ease the container off. Upon successful removal, jubilation erupted among Floridia and the residents. "We jumped, we hugged," he recalled. The shared victory over adversity forged a strong bond, commemorated by the retrieved jar as an unexpected trophy of triumph.

Despite initial fear causing the deer to run off, subsequent video footage captured her in a state of contentment, happily eating and at peace. Floridia explained that the strategic advantage was gained because the deer had to climb up from the sump, giving the rescue team the "high ground." This elevated position played a crucial role in successfully reaching and aiding the frightened deer, turning a challenging situation into a triumphant rescue.

The intense 10-day rescue mission reached its triumphant conclusion on Friday night at 10:30 p.m., as recounted by Floridia. Expressing elation, he shared, "We were ecstatic. I was emotional. Getting this done was a huge accomplishment." Acknowledging the weight of the responsibility, he added, "I don’t want to say it was stressful for us because what we felt was nothing compared to what she was going through. But it was a lot of pressure on us because every day counted at this point." The urgency escalated due to the absence of a hole in the container, intensifying the need to swiftly free the deer from its predicament and ensure its well-being.

Expressing gratitude, Floridia extended his thanks to all the residents, specifically acknowledging the invaluable contributions of Witt, Turano, and Nancy Prior. Emphasizing the collaborative spirit, he stated, "This was a group effort, and teamwork prevailed." Reflecting on the profound connection formed during the rescue, Floridia added, "I made a bond with these people that will last forever," highlighting the enduring camaraderie forged through their collective efforts.

United in purpose, the team tirelessly combed through trails and maintained constant communication, driven by the shared goal of rescuing one helpless creature and ensuring its safety. "We never gave up," Floridia affirmed. "We never lost sight of her. Now she'll live happily ever after," marking the culmination of unwavering determination and a collective commitment to securing the well-being of a vulnerable life.

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