How Sika Deer Came to Lanthorn

In 2019, our family found itself in the unforeseen role of caretakers for a group of Sika deer, an arrangement that all started with allegations of animal cruelty at a zoo a few hours drive from here. This venture, undertaken in collaboration with the Humane Society International (HSI), quickly became a defining chapter in our story, bringing us closer together, closer to community, and leading to our farms name. 



An Urgent Call:


The Sika were part of a rescue of over 200 exotic animals. Without the intervention of HSI and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), all animals would have been seized and euthanized by officials. As exotic animals bred in captivity, they could not be released or repatriated, despite being an endangered species in their native land. With the closure of the zoo, the Sika deer faced death if a suitable new home wasn't secured within a tight two week window. The deer proved harder to relocate than other animals, requiring expansive space and drawing less interest for profit than the big cats or great apes who, thankfully, were rescued alongside. A call went out on Facebook, our family was tagged in the comment section, and the Humane Society reached out, prompting our family to make a swift decision regarding their fate. We learned that the cover crop we planted to remediate our fields, Japanese millet, was an ideal food for the deer and is commonly planted as a forage in wildlife sanctuaries. 



Accepting the deer would require a commitment to them for their, potentially 20 year lives; to feed, maintain infrastructure, pay ministry fees for licensing, cover vet bills, and loose access to 1/3 of our farm fields. We agreed to never sell, breed, or profit from the deer and to take full responsibility for them. Ultimately we were motivated by a desire to honour the spirit of the initial whistle blowers actions. The legal system barely protects animals from mistreatment, and there are no provisions for them once removed from abusive situations without charity. Sadly, we learned through this endeavor, how common a situation this roadside zoo was. If the animals had been euthanized, no one would want to engage in future interventions.


Sika Deer on the day of arrival.

Unfamiliar Territory:


Neither our family nor the team from HSI had experience with a deer rescue on this scale. Nonetheless, with shared commitment, and some experienced consultants, we transformed our farm to suit the needs of these animals. The pandemic complicated the legal proceedings around the official transfer of stewardship, which limited our ability to make decisions around birth control, and resulted in higher infrastructure needs to separate animals. We were also limited in finding help to run and maintain the refuge due to lockdowns. The Humane Society came through on more than their initial commitment to help us set up to accept the deer, funding the operation throughout the first two years and additional unforeseen vet bills and costs beyond. This was in addition to the construction of barns, hay storage, and an expansive fencing system. Months of labor were required, with a standout challenge being the meticulous construction of 8 foot fences. Family members and volunteers found themselves atop very high ladders operating heavy gas fence pounders to install posts. This arduous task was repeated over a hundred times. In total 3.5 acres have become a refuge for our Sika residents. This curated space offers diverse habitats including forest, fields, and multiple shelters, suited to the specific needs of the Taiwanese and Japanese deer.


Sika in the millet field.


Managing an Ecosystem:


They were never meant to be here, and yet here they are. Over the past few years we’ve learned, with the support of the Human Society, about their unique needs. Working within the confines of regulations and resources, we do our best to allow them to live out their lives in harmony with the land. When we came here, we set out to create systems that improved the land, integrating crops and livestock in sustainable systems. Many of the species we work with are not native to the land - traditional basketry willow are cousins of the local willow; Icelandic sheep are relatively recent imports - but they all have rich histories of functional integration. Keeping deer that are not truly a domesticated species, has proven to come with challenges. They cannot be rounded up for treatments, management, or to rotate on the land easily and without risk to their well-being. Bucks are difficult to manage for half of the year in mating season. This steep learning curve has led to many adaptations along the way. We have been so grateful for the surprising generosity and support of the Humane Society.


Special Thank You:


Andrew Plumbly from the Humane Society played a pivotal role in the rescue operation. Managing on site, Andrew went above and beyond to navigate the myriad of unique and unfamiliar challenges, making countless trips to the refuge and rolling up his sleeves to ensure  a smooth transition for the deer and their continued well being. Andrew was a jack of all trades, and his unwavering commitment and versatility made him the hero of our refuge.

Andrew with the Old Man Onchow.

A Name for Their Refuge and Ours:


Shortly after we accepted the deer, I was on the hunt for a traditional gift for our wedding anniversary when I came across a bronze statue of a stag with candleholder antlers. This led to our farm name, Lanthorn, an archaic word for lantern originating from the words for “light” and “horn.” The Sika deer have become symbols to us of our hopes for our work and lives here. Reflecting on this chapter and looking out on the expanded territories where the deer now graze, we are struck by the impact collective action and compassion can have. With 11 deer currently on the refuge, we have grown in affections for each of them and learned their personalities. Caring for them has changed our family and the way we think. They belong here just as much as we do. It is our hope that our refuge can continue to raise awareness for the many animals still living in unacceptable conditions in small private zoos, and that we can help support others who are willing to step up.

-Mary and Bob