VIDEO: Oh Deer! Swimming Axis Deer Rescue
[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq8UexSzkNk /] By Wendy Osher
Moments after publishing a story about the county’s efforts to control the axis deer population explosion on Maui, our staff at Maui Now were alerted to a video of an axis deer ocean rescue that took place several weeks ago in Wailea.
The incident reportedly occurred on Oct. 24, 2012 off-shore of Wailea Beach, and was observed by visitors on an ocean paddling tour conducted by the Four Seasons Outrigger Program.
Hotel officials say staff recently rescued the deer from the ocean just fronting the hotel.
“The deer was spotted in the ocean–swimming, but obviously suffering from exhaustion,” said Crissa Hiranaga, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
for the Four Seasons Resort Maui. “Some of our recreation staff members jumped to the rescue and were able to bring the deer ashore,” she said.
The deer was transferred away from the immediate area and let loose, according to Hiranaga.
Depending on who you talk to and where you get the information from, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa tells us we’re seeing deer in every place from Hana to Kapalua, with population estimates ranging between 25,000 and 60,000 animals.
The county recently launched an Axis Deer Harvesting Co-op in an effort to control the invasive species that has already caused millions of dollars in damage to crops and property of farmers, ranchers, and private land owners.
Axis Deer rescue, Maui. Image courtesy Chris Walsh.
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