How the "Drone Peter" saves the deer antelope from death

In Austria, thousands of young deer—known as Rehkitze—are facing a deadly threat during the agricultural season. Every year, up to 25,000 of these animals are killed when farmers begin their first mowing operations on grasslands. This tragic overlap occurs because the birth season of the young deer coincides with the time when farmers start cutting fields. Unlike other animals that flee from the noise and movement of tractors, Rehkitze instinctively freeze and hide in tall grass, making them easy targets for the machinery. The result is often a devastating loss of life, with many young deer being crushed under the blades of mowers before they have a chance to survive.

To combat this crisis, a unique solution has emerged in the region around Siget in the Oberwart district. At the center of this effort is Peter Mautner, known locally as "Drohnen-Peter," who uses advanced drone technology to locate and rescue these vulnerable young deer before they fall victim to the mowers. His equipment includes a thermal imaging camera-equipped drone valued at €13,000, which allows him to scan large areas efficiently and identify potential hiding spots for the animals. This method has proven effective in preventing unnecessary deaths among the Rehkitze.

Mautner's work begins each evening at precisely 7 p.m., when he deploys his drone over fields where mowing is about to take place. Farmers gather nearby, having parked their tractors with attached mowers along the field’s edge. As the drone ascends between 65 and 80 meters above the ground, its thermal imaging system scans the area, switching between color and black-and-white visuals. White dots on the screen indicate possible locations of interest, which Mautner then examines more closely using zoom functions. Once he identifies a potential spot, he marks it and shares the location with the team monitoring the monitors.

When a Rehkitz is found, a rescue team led by Bezirksjägermeister Siegfried Fleischacker is dispatched immediately. Equipped with radios, nets, and transport boxes, the team moves swiftly to the location. Upon arrival, the young deer typically springs up and runs into a safe area such as a forest or grove of trees. After confirming the area is clear, Mautner gives the signal for the mowing operation to proceed. This process repeats itself multiple times throughout the day, ensuring that no young deer is left behind before the fields are cut.

Mautner emphasizes that his efforts are driven purely by a passion for animal welfare rather than financial gain. He has spent over 52 hours flying his drone this year alone, conducting 161 flights to inspect 212 hectares of farmland. During this time, he has successfully located and rescued 69 Rehkitze. Each young deer is handled carefully, wearing gloves to avoid direct contact, and placed in a specially prepared transport box lined with hay or a handkerchief. After the mowing is complete, the animals are released back into the wild near their original discovery site.

The success of Mautner’s initiative has been acknowledged by local authorities, including Bezirksjägermeister Fleischacker, who expressed deep gratitude for the pilot’s contributions. Fleischacker noted that Mautner’s use of drones has significantly reduced the number of Rehkitze fatalities in the region. While the exact impact of the program remains difficult to quantify due to the lack of comprehensive data on all incidents, the visible reduction in casualties suggests that the approach is working effectively.

Looking ahead, there is growing interest in expanding the use of similar technologies beyond the current region. Local farmers and wildlife conservationists are exploring ways to integrate drone-based monitoring into broader agricultural practices. Some discussions are already underway regarding how to standardize procedures and ensure that such initiatives can be replicated in other parts of Austria. For now, however, Mautner continues his mission, one flight at a time, determined to give as many Rehkitze as possible a second chance at life.