Deer is tranquilized at Governors Island

The wayward deer that jumped into the Hudson River and swam to Governors Island in New York Harbor has been rescued.

After watching the buck walking among the rocks in a futile attempt to reach dry land on Governors Island, New York City animal control officials tranquilized the animal at about 3 p.m. and brought it to land, a New York City police spokeswoman said this afternoon.

The buck is in good condition, the spokeswoman said, and was brought to a wildlife preserve park in Staten Island.

The eight- to 10-pointer drew the attention of media on both sides of the river after Downtown Jersey City residents reported seeing it swimming in the Hudson River near Exchange Place around noon today.

Earlier in the day Jersey City police received a number of calls from Downtown residents who saw the deer roaming the neighborhood.

“I can’t remember ever getting a call of a deer sighting,” said Lt. Edgar Martinez, police spokesman.

Elaine Makatura, director of the state Department of Environmental Protection press office, was surprised by the attention the deer-sighting received.

“Biologists in the field would tell you that it’s not unusual to find deer anywhere in New Jersey, even Jersey City,” she said. “They would tell that it would be more unusual to not ever have a deer-sighting in Jersey City.”

Jersey City police and the New York Police Harbor Patrol searched the Jersey side of the Hudson for the deer until it was spotted swimming south toward Governors Island. From there, police tracked the animal as it reached the shore.

Jersey Journal

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