Lorraine Williamson
The quiet rhythm of a Sunday afternoon in Zamora was suddenly broken when a deer, frightened and injured, appeared in the city centre. Startled by traffic and noise, the animal dashed through several narrow streets before seeking refuge in an underground car park near the old town. What followed was a delicate rescue operation that brought together police, firefighters, veterinarians, and local wildlife experts.
The deer had strayed from the wooded area of Valorio around 3.00 pm, likely disoriented and injured as it stumbled into the city. Residents and motorists were taken aback by the unusual sight of the wild creature sprinting past cafés and shopfronts. According to reports from the Civil Protection Department and Castile and León’s emergency services (112), the animal startled several passersby but did not attack anyone.
Within minutes, the area was swarming with emergency vehicles. Authorities closed access to the car park where the deer had cornered itself, hoping to prevent further harm.
The delicate operation
With the deer now trapped inside the underground facility, Zamora’s municipal police and fire brigade moved quickly to secure the site. A team of veterinarians from the City Council and the Junta de Castilla y León arrived equipped with tranquiliser darts. After a careful approach, the animal was sedated using a blowpipe — a method that minimised distress and avoided further injury.
Once the sedative took effect, the vets examined the deer and treated minor wounds before arranging its transfer back to nature.
Bears increasingly spotted in Spanish urban areas
Safe return to the wild
By early evening, the rescue reached its peaceful conclusion. Around 7.30 pm, firefighters transported the deer to a nearby nature reserve, where it was released unharmed. Witnesses described a collective sigh of relief as the animal disappeared into the trees — a fitting end to a tense and emotional afternoon.
Gratitude from local authorities
David Gago, Zamora’s Councillor for Civil Protection, praised the swift cooperation between police, firefighters, veterinarians, and local workers, particularly those from the Villaralbo wildlife rescue centre and the Cobadu cooperative. He also expressed appreciation to the public for their patience, especially to motorists whose cars remained trapped in the car park during the operation.
Gago acknowledged the inconvenience caused but assured residents that parking fees were waived for those affected, adding that such incidents highlight “the importance of coordinated emergency response and respect for the animals that share our environment.”
A reminder of nature’s proximity
For many in Zamora, the day served as a poignant reminder of how close the wild remains, even in urban Spain. As cities expand towards once-quiet forests, encounters between humans and wildlife are becoming increasingly common. This time, at least, the story ended in harmony — with an injured deer rescued, healed, and safely home once more.
Source: El País