For Deer Life

Each spring, thousands of roe deer fawns are born in meadows across Austria—at exactly the same time farmers begin mowing their fields. Too young to escape the approaching machinery, an estimated 25,000 fawns are accidentally killed each year.

For Deer Life, a film by Yaz Ellis, follows the dedicated volunteers working to change that. Before the mowers arrive, teams use thermal-equipped drones to search fields from above, locating hidden fawns so they can be safely moved out of harm’s way. Through the experiences of the rescuers and farmers involved, the film reveals both the urgency of the problem and a remarkably effective solution.

Set amid the spectacular landscapes of Tyrol, For Deer Life is ultimately a hopeful story about compassion, innovation, and coexistence—showing how people and technology can work together to protect wildlife while allowing farmers to continue the work on which their livelihoods depend. In 2025 alone, Tyrol’s fawn rescuers saved 1,188 young deer.