Every day, in corners scattered throughout the world, countless animals find themselves in dangerous situations. Whether due to natural disasters, human activity, or disease, these creatures often require a helping hand to survive and thrive. And, in a scene that could be taken from a movie, a bather has become a hero by rescuing a deer that had fallen into the water in the famous Lagunas de Ruidera, a natural area located between the provinces of Albacete and Ciudad Real.
The action has been shared on Twitter by Ruidera Treasures, dedicated to spreading the cultural, historical and natural wealth of this park. In the video you can see how a young man, using his canoe, takes the disoriented animal safely to one of the shores.
And this is not just any rescue. The doe showed symptoms of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHE), a viral infection that has put several areas of Spain on alert, including Castilla-La Mancha, where the Wildlife Health Surveillance Plan has been activated. This disease is transmitted by small insects and affects deer more frequently than domestic ruminants.
According to current data, deer (Cervus elaphus) in Spain head the list of animals most affected by EHE. This species, vital to the ecosystem and of great interest for ecological tourism, is being closely monitored. However, the concern does not end there: fallow deer and roe deer, also belonging to the deer family, could be at risk. Although preliminary data shows a lower incidence in these species, the possibility of a significant impact in the near future should not be ruled out.
One of the challenges for early detection and treatment of EHE is the variety of clinical manifestations. It is essential to understand that the virus does not affect all infected animals uniformly. While a considerable part of the affected population may be completely asymptomatic, that is, carriers of the virus but without showing any obvious signs of the disease, others show mild symptoms that may go unnoticed with the naked eye.
More serious, though less common, symptoms include high fever, progressive weakness and, particularly distressing, loss of flight instinct. This last manifestation can make animals more vulnerable to predators or dangerous situations, affecting their ability to survive in the ecosystem.
Despite this outlook, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The mortality rate due to EHE in Spain is, so far, less than 10%. This indicates that although the disease can spread, most affected animals have a high chance of recovery, especially if caught early and appropriate preventive measures are taken.
