Cow Saves White-tailed Deer's Life
08 January 2010
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- As the Executive Director of the Texas hill country-based animal sanctuary was feeding the cows Wednesday morning, he noticed that George, a small black and white half-long horn was lagging behind. Thinking nothing of it, Stephen Rene Tello, from Primarily Primates, finished feeding the animals and headed back inside.
Tello was unaware at the time that his neighbour, from the San Antonio Rose Palace, was busy calling his office to tell him that George was acting strangely by the fence, bobbing his head.
To Tello's surprise, George was attempting to assist a female white-tailed deer that had managed to get her leg stuck in a barb-wired fence.
"She was laying flat on the ground with her leg straight up entangled in the barb-
wire." Tello explained. "From a distance, her leg just looked like a common twig or branch. In my wildest dreams, I would not have thought that tree branch was a deer."
In Texas, one needs a special permit in order to help white-tailed deer, even in cases of emergencies. Tello knew that if he called authorities that the deer may be shot. Rather than disturbing her, he set her free and gave her space to recover from the ordeal. Upon returning to check on her, the doe was standing and walking, though with some difficulty.
"If it wasn't for George's persistence and compassion, my neighbour wouldn't have noticed something was awry." added Tello. "The land spans 65 acres and the doe may have just died out there."
George's arrival was a blessing in disguise. One morning during a walk-about to check on the resident animals - there he was, just a few hours old. Confused by this, having all altered males and one unaltered female, PPI staff suspected that a bull from the George Strait owned San Antonio Rose Palace jumped the fence at some point and mated with Daisy. Without giving it much thought, the new arrival was appropriately named George Strait, Jr.
Primarily Primates cares for approximately 350 primates, 61 of which are chimpanzees, and a variety of other nonhuman animals. Each animal who resides there has his or her own story. Some were brought there by private owners who admit they could no longer care for them, while others have a more horrifying past. From being used for vaccine research, space training and testing protocols by the United States Air Force, to even Wanda – who was found in a brothel.
The exceptional care given to all of these wonderful nonhuman animals, has allowed these individuals to forget their pasts. The refuge currently accepts sponsorships, which assist with their all-around care and well-being. Please extend your support by visiting Primarily Primates.
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