He knew exactly what to do.
A peaceful sunset near Ochlockonee Bay in Wakulla County, Florida, suddenly turned into a rescue mission when a camper noticed frantic splashing beneath a nearby dock.
Looking closer, the camper realized a tiny fawn was struggling in the water. It appeared the rising tide had carried the young deer away from shore, leaving her exhausted and unable to escape. There was no sign of her mother anywhere nearby.
Worried about the fawn’s condition, the camper contacted the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Shawn Joens was sent to investigate and quickly realized the little deer needed immediate help.
“The fawn was lethargic and visibly shivering,” a representative from the sheriff’s office told The Dodo. “It appeared cold and exhausted and needed assistance.”
The deputy first tried several times to reach the fawn with a net, but the attempts were unsuccessful. Eventually, he stepped into the water himself, carefully picked up the frightened animal and carried her back to shore.
A group of Good Samaritans was waiting on land. They wrapped the shivering fawn in warm towels and stayed with her until her breathing became steady and she began to recover.
While the fawn rested, Deputy Joens contacted members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for advice. They recommended placing the young deer in a safe, wooded area close to where she had been found and waiting to see whether her mother would return.
The rescuers followed the advice and kept their distance, patiently watching from afar.
Before long, movement appeared among the trees. The fawn’s mother cautiously emerged from the wilderness and made her way toward her baby.
The reunion was exactly what everyone had been hoping for.
Once they found each other, the mother and fawn disappeared back into the wild together — leaving behind a group of grateful rescuers who had refused to give up on the tiny deer when she needed them most.