Staff report
Deer sightings are becoming more and more frequent in Northern Kentucky, along with warnings — especially during mating season — for drivers to be alert. Deer can dash across the roads through heavily wooded neighborhoods. Significant damage to automobiles can result.
Or they can be seen or heard in foraging for new food sources as construction and development destroy their habitats.
But, imagine Dr. Howard Anneken’s surprise when he saw a mama-to-be deer in the backyard of his home on Superior Drive in Fort Mitchell’s Sunnymeade neighborhood last week. The good doctor made no sudden moves from his home but watched patiently (with plenty of contained excitement about his yard as a maternity ward) as the pregnant deer made herself comfortable in his lovely backyard.
He recorded her progress with a video on his phone. Patiently and quietly from his window.
The deer gave birth about 9:30 a.m. She took her precious (but guarded) time, cleaning up her newborn, gently encouraging the fawn to stand — it was wobbly and but also determined. And it took several tries and gentle nudges from mom to finally make that happen.
Dr. Anneken marveled at the mom’s patience and the skill of natural instincts as the new mom and baby “bonded” over the next few hours. A miracle of birth and nature, indeed.
The mom moved her little one carefully around the corner of the nicely manicured lawn, obviously feeling safer against the woods behind. And, about 3 p.m. — as Dr. Anneken looked on with great interest (and a bit of pride himself) — the deer and her newborn disappeared into the woods.
