GRANITEVILLE — A resident’s intuition and kindness at Westford’s Community Gardens led to the discovery of an orphaned fawn and the reunification of a trio of siblings.
The incident began late last week on Graniteville Road when a mother deer was struck by a vehicle, according to Westford Animal Control Officer Kirsten Hirschler. The doe sustained fatal injuries.
“There was a call for a deer hit by a car, which, of course, is not too uncommon, unfortunately, in Westford,” Hirschler said.
Two newborn fawns were initially found near the roadway and transported to a state-permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Hirschler said both appeared healthy despite being only about a day old.
“They still had their umbilical cords attached,” she said. “They were very new.”
Officials said the fawns were transferred to one of only two wildlife rehabilitators in Massachusetts permitted to care for white-tailed deer. Hirschler said deer rehabilitation is closely regulated by the state and requires approval from wildlife officials before animals can be placed into care.
The following morning, Westford resident Amanda Bashford arrived at the Community Gardens after reading about the incident on social media.
“It really weighed on me,” Bashford said. “I love animals. I love this town.”
As she walked toward her garden plot, she heard an animal crying from the woods.
“I said, ‘I’m going to find you, baby. I’m going to find you,'” Bashford said.
After searching for about an hour, she located a third fawn hidden in the brush. Bashford immediately contacted Animal Control and waited nearby until they arrived.
“I wasn’t leaving until I found it,” she said. “It would’ve haunted me if I didn’t.”
Bashford said she initially wasn’t certain the cries were connected to the deer collision reported the previous day. After hearing the sounds and learning the crash had occurred near the Community Gardens, she became convinced another fawn could still be nearby. She waited quietly in the woods until the animal cried out again, allowing her to follow the sound through the brush and locate the animal.
“It was just lying in the brush,” Bashford said. “It was literally the sweetest thing ever. I was so emotional.”
Hirschler praised Bashford’s actions.
“She did everything right,” Hirschler said. “She didn’t pick up the baby, she didn’t touch it, she left it where it was.”
Officials determined the fawn was a sibling of the two deer found the previous day. The animal was weak but was transported for care and reunited with its siblings.
When she learned the three fawns were together again, Bashford said she was overwhelmed with relief.
“I was just so happy,” she said. “Just relieved that it wasn’t by itself.”
Hirschler said the incident serves as an important reminder that young deer are often left alone temporarily by their mothers and should not be handled by the public.
“It’s really important that people reach out to us before interacting with an animal,” Hirschler said. “We would rather answer those questions. It’s never a bother.”
Bashford hopes residents remember that Westford’s wildlife is part of what makes the community special.
“Don’t turn a blind eye,” she said. “Show love and compassion for the animals that live in our town.”
According to Hirschler, deer are currently in peak fawning season, with most births occurring in late May and June. She encouraged drivers to remain alert on wooded roads and residents to contact Animal Control if they encounter wildlife that may be injured or in distress.
