The fallow deer (Dama dama) is present in many protected areas, hunting reserves and national parks across Italy. Originally introduced by humans in antiquity, it has naturalised and is now considered fully wild fauna under Italian law.
If you find one injured — most often after a road collision — the basic rules are the same as for roe deer, with some differences due to its larger size.
First rule: don't approach
An adult fallow deer weighs between 40 and 85 kg. Adult males (bucks) in September–October, during the rut, can be particularly aggressive. Females with young are unpredictable.
An injured fallow deer is in shock: it may appear motionless for minutes, then suddenly bolt and cause serious harm. Keep at least 5–8 metres away.
Who to call
- 1515 — Carabinieri Forestali (wildlife police): single national number, available 24h. First point of contact for wildlife in distress
- Local ASL veterinary service — legally obliged to respond on public roads
- 112 if the animal is blocking traffic or there's risk to people
As with roe deer, standard wildlife rescue centres rarely have facilities for an adult ungulate. The wildlife police will coordinate with the right people.
The "abandoned" fawn
From May to June, female fallow deer leave their fawns hidden in the grass for hours while they move off to graze. The fawn stays still by instinct — it has almost no scent yet, so predators don't find it.
If you find a fawn alone, motionless, with no visible injuries: don't pick it up. Watch from a distance for at least 3–4 hours. If no adult returns, or if the fawn has injuries or is visibly weakened, call 1515.
A fawn separated from its mother through unnecessary human intervention almost always ends up in long-term rehabilitation with low release success rates.
What not to do
- Don't move the injured animal
- Don't give it water or food
- Don't put it in your car
- Don't approach with dogs
- Don't photograph it up close (increases stress)
Something worth knowing
The adult male fallow deer develops a flat, palmate antler — unlike roe deer and red deer which have branched antlers. This shape is an adaptation for moving through dense vegetation. The antlers are shed every year between March and April and regrow completely by August.
Legal considerations
The fallow deer (Dama dama) is considered a naturalised alien species: in some regions it is huntable, in others it is managed through control programmes. Regardless of its hunting status, mistreatment is a criminal offence under Art. 544-bis of the Penal Code, and the obligation to report road collisions to the competent authorities is required by the highway code.
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