France's Wildlife Rescuers Save Burned Deer and Fawns

Months after devastating wildfires and extreme heat scorched France this summer, a young deer named Byanka is fighting her way back to health at a wildlife rescue center in Poitou.

She arrived with serious burns to all four hooves after escaping the Gironde wildfires. Each day, caretakers clean her wounds, manage her pain, and watch for signs of healing.

Three of her hooves are already showing regrowth. The fourth remains uncertain, and she may need an amputation, but her spirit remains strong.

Byanka isn't alone in her recovery. Seven young fawns affected by the summer's brutal heatwave are also healing at the Centre de soins de la faune sauvage poitevine (CSFSP).

Manala, Trésor, Peppa, Georges, Résine, Lucky, and Blondie have spent months receiving specialized care. They recently moved to a large outdoor enclosure, marking a major milestone in their rehabilitation journey.

This new space mimics their natural habitat and prepares them for eventual release back into the wild. For many rescued animals, recovery isn't quick—it takes weeks or months of veterinary treatment, specialized food, and dedicated attention.

The Ripple Effect

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is expanding support for CSFSP and other French rescue centers still managing the summer's aftermath. The funding goes beyond immediate animal care to strengthen future disaster response.

A significant portion will install air conditioning in CSFSP's new infirmary wing. During extreme heat waves, this space became too hot to safely house recovering animals, limiting the center's capacity when it was needed most.

The support also covers daily essentials like fresh lettuce, endives, apples, and specialized pellets for the animals' diets. Injured wildlife require healing creams, antibiotics, pain medication, and special bandages.

This funding builds on emergency support IFAW provided earlier in the summer to France's wildlife rescue network. That initial round helped 21 centers hire eight additional wildlife carers and purchase cooling equipment for animals struggling in record temperatures.

The network's centers took in 2,396 more animals compared to the same period the previous year. At least 70 percent of rescue centers hit capacity in June and July.

Behind every recovery story are veterinarians, wildlife carers, and volunteers showing up day after day to help individual animals heal. By strengthening the facilities they depend on, more wildlife like Byanka and the seven fawns get a second chance at freedom.