As the villagers took a closer look at the animal, a surprising realisation dawned on them, it wasn't a dog, but a lost muntjac deer that had been separated from its forest home.
Saving Chao Lao
The concerned villagers knew they had to act swiftly, so they contacted the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) for guidance. The little deer, later named Cha Lao, was just a few days old and desperately needed help. He had been fending off the curious street dogs with his bark, a common defensive behaviour for muntjac deer. WFFT managed to rescue Cha Lao from harm's way, swiftly transporting him to their wildlife hospital.
There, he received specialised care, including being bottle-fed, which seemed to calm and relax him.
Cha Lao's condition steadily improved under the watchful eyes of his caretakers. Daily walks helped him regain his strength, although he was still unsteady. The brave little guy explored his new surroundings enthusiastically while regular medical examinations and bottle feeding with warm milk became part of his daily routine.
Barking deer
Seeing Cha Lao among dogs was a surprise, but the timely rescue ensured his health and safety.
The hope is that he'll continue to grow and thrive in the care of his rescuers. Muntjac deer, often referred to as barking deer, are found throughout Thailand. They emit bark-like sounds to warn against predators, with males growing small antlers up to around five inches in length.
Regrettably, Muntjac deer like Cha Lao are sought after by trophy hunters in several countries. Online trophy hunt packages targeting Muntjac deer in the US are available for around $5,000 each. Fortunately, Cha Lao is now in safe hands and can look forward to a happy future.
