Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Celebrity stag captured after epic adventures
For months he was free to roam the east Kent countryside, becoming somewhat of a celebrity as pictures of his escapades were posted on Facebook.
But this red stag’s days on the run have finally come to an end in a farmer’s field in Blean - 27 miles away from home.
The impressive beast, called Nelson, had appeared to be laying low since escaping from a private estate near Tenterden in June, leaving behind a harem of females.
But if he thought there would be richer pickings in the wild during the rutting season, he was in for disappointment, because there are no red deer running free in Kent, only fallows.
He was later seen in Smarden, near Ashford, but after many weeks without any reported sightings, he appeared last week in the Chartham area, with a stream of pictures of him appearing on social media.
The photos sparked a campaign by countryside lover Peter Swales to reunite him with his owner before he was hit by a car or shot by poachers keen to get their hands on his magnificent antlers.
Within days, firefighter Emma Cassidy and Charlotte Godley saw Nelson as they were out riding their horses in a field behind the Royal Oak pub.
They alerted the stable owner, Shelley Cousins, who put a picture on Facebook for the owner to see.
The 36-year-old, who runs Acorn Pet Care and Equestrian Services, said: “I was very concerned that if he got onto the main road, there could be a horrendous accident, especially when we lost sight of him for about half-an-hour.
“But then he was spotted again at Butlers Court Farm and I remained at a safe distance so as not to alarm him until the owner arrived with someone to dart and sedate him.”
Nelson was tranquillised with ketamine and loaded into a trailer before being taken to a temporary home in Sussex to recover – where he finally has some female company.
There is another rival stag at his own park, who has had the females to himself, and it was feared fur might fly if Nelson was put straight back with the herd after such a long absence.
Mum-of-two Shelley said: “While it would be great to leave such a wonderful animal to roam in the wild, the risks to his welfare are too great. It would just be a matter of time before he caused a traffic accident or became a victim of poachers.”
The stag owner, who did not want to be named, said: “I want to thank everyone for helping recover Nelson.
“It was through updates on residents’ Facebook pages that we managed to locate him and get him darted before he could do any damage or get shot.
“There was a really lovely community spirit in helping us find him and from the landowners who allowed us to dart Nelson on their land. I am pleased to report he is now busying himself with the hinds he was trying so hard to find.”