And you thought Bambi was sad! Friendly deer called Bucky is EUTHANIZED by Kansas wildlife officials after becoming too tame
- Bucky the deer won the hearts of Hutchinson residents but was sadly euthanized after authorities decided the animal had become too tame.
- However, on Tuesday, Parks and Wildlife officials were called to an active public safety issue involving Bucky.
- A hunter captured Bucky and took him to a private farm where he was “humanely euthanized.”
A friendly deer that has captured the hearts of Hutchinson residents had to be euthanized after authorities decided the animal had become too tame.
Bucky the deer was a regular and welcome visitor to neighborhoods in the northeastern part of the city, where residents even pet the wild animal.
However, on Tuesday, wildlife and parks officials were called to an active public safety issue involving Bucky.
“Frankly, a line has been crossed that has harmed this species,” Nadia Margie of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks told the publication.
“These people did it with the best of intentions,” she added, referring to the resident’s concern for Bucky.
Bucky the deer won the hearts of Hutchinson residents but was sadly euthanized after authorities decided the animal had become too tame.
“All the kids in the neighborhood loved him,” said Hutchinson resident Aliyah Davis.
A hunter caught Bucky, took him to a private farm and “humanely euthanized” the animal.
“All the kids in the neighborhood loved him,” heartbroken Hutchinson resident Aliyah Davis told KSN News.
“They loved seeing him and thought he was one of Santa’s reindeer.
“He was the sweetest creature. He loved children, and when children came to pet him.”
Concerned residents previously contacted the nearby Hutchinson Zoo to inquire about the possibility of Bucky moving to the facility.
However, the zoo was unable to accept the deer as its domestication was considered a potential safety hazard.
A hunter caught Bucky, took him to a private farm and “humanely euthanized” the animal.
“They don’t always understand that they are deer and we are people, and when it comes to rutting season specifically for white-tailed deer, they may be looking for mates in humans rather than deer,” said zoo director Nicole Manz. .
Mantz also said Bucky’s unknown health status was concerning because he may have had chronic wasting disease, which poses a risk of infection to the rest of the zoo’s animals.
“The rest of our animals are still susceptible to this disease,” Manz explained.
Adding: “Not only will we have to destroy the rest of our herd, but we will also never be able to have a member of the deer family on zoo property.”