Four fallow deer escaped overnight from the enclosure at Montecchio park, in San Marino. Two have already been recovered, while operations continue to bring to safety two young females still roaming free in the woods. Behind the incident there may lie a deliberate act, perhaps a prank.
The news was reported by San Marino RTV. It was volunteers from APAS who discovered what had happened during the morning, initially spotting an adult female outside the enclosure. The animal, accustomed to their presence, was brought back inside without much difficulty. Shortly afterward, a second female was also recovered.
During the checks, however, a gap in the fence came to light. According to APAS volunteer Alessandro Capicchioni, speaking to San Marino RTV, a small existing opening had been widened enough to allow the animals to pass through.
Attention is now focused on the two young does, believed to have stayed nearby since they tend not to stray far from their mothers. These are, however, animals born and raised in captivity, and therefore unaccustomed to moving freely, potentially exposing them to various dangers, including the presence of wolves.
The Guardia di Rocca is currently investigating the case. Meanwhile, the fence has been repaired by the State Public Works Agency (Azienda Autonoma di Stato per i Lavori Pubblici). A camera in the area is also said to have captured footage of a vehicle near the park late on Sunday evening, though it remains to be established exactly when the gap was created.
