UPDATE: A B.C. MLA has stepped up to help save a baby deer.
Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart has secured a 24-hour extension for Dr. Moshe Oz to find a home for an injured fawn.
“He wants to help,” said Dr. Oz, who is working on securing Gilbert a spot in a sanctuary to save his life.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Gilbert the young deer is still in desperate need of sanctuary.
And, according to the veterinarian who’s trying to save him from euthanasia, he has until the end of Thursday to find a new home.
Dr. Moshe Oz of Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital in West Kelowna says the young deer, named Gilbert, has a broken front leg that requires amputation or a prosthetic.
First, though, the young deer will need a licenced sanctuary to call home.
If a licenced sanctuary can’t be found, either leg option becomes moot because Gilbert will be facing euthanasia.
“The fawn is doing amazing,” Dr. Oz told Global News on Thursday morning. “He’s on medication, has food and everything. But we are still waiting … I was here for the whole night.
“I sent out emails, phone calls, left messages. But we are still waiting for a lead.”
WATCH BELOW (Aired May 3, 2019): Spring baby boom for southern Alberta wildlife rescue centre
One sanctuary option mentioned on social media was the B.C. SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC).
However, Wild ARC said on Thursday its mandate is to take injured animals, rehabilitate them, then release them back into the wild.
In Gilbert’s case, the deer is facing a lifetime of sanctuary help, not temporary. Wild ARC said it simply doesn’t have the room to permanently house animals.
WATCH BELOW (Aired March 20, 2019): A rare, behind-the-scenes look at the B.C. SPCA’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre in the province
Oz said “lots of people have had good suggestions, but when we called those sanctuaries, what we are hearing is no. So we are still waiting for the one to say yes.
“It’s maybe possible, and then we can go from there.”
Under the B.C. Wildlife Act, it is illegal to keep a wild animal, unless authorized.
For more on B.C.’s wildlife act, click here.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service told Global News on Thursday that “the BCCOS is aware of the deer at the Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital and is monitoring the situation, but has no update at this time.”