A COUPLE who rescued a trapped deer from a fence say they are worried that the type of wire used poses a continuing risk to the animals.
Rob Davies and Geraldine Clowes of Cinderford managed to calm the animal down and were even able to take pictures of the incident.
"The animal, as can be seen, was caught by the converging two fence wires," said Rob.
"My partner and I often cycle along the tracks through the Forest and these shots were by the side of the cycle track between Mallard's Pike and New Fancy View.
"She managed to calm the animal down and I managed to free it. The wire had cut right to the bone of the leg causing severe bleeding, but a few minutes after being freed the animal trotted off, presumably OK.
"I read a story in the local papers about similarly captive animal carcases being found. The fact that we were, for this animal at least, at the right place and time was lucky – but how many other animals are not so lucky?
"Surely these fences need changing to something less dangerous for the deer?"
A Forest Enterprise spokesman said the purpose of nearly all the fences in the Forest was to keep sheep away from young growth where they could cause considerable damage.
"There is a single strand of plain wire at the top because it is thought barbed wire would be rather hostile in a place used by the public" he said.
"We are aware that unfortunately a very few deer do get caught up in the fences, usually at dusk after being panicked by a dog.
"There are some other places, Scotland for example, where deer fencing is used but as it is over two metres high it is visually very intrusive.
"It is regrettable that some animals get caught up but sheep are the main concern. If there were no sheep there would be no need for fences."