Plastic jack-o'-lantern threatens life of deer

A plastic jack-o'-lantern meant for collecting Halloween candy is threatening the life of a small deer that frequently visits a gated community.



The fake pumpkin has been stuck on the animal's snout for at least several days. It appears to be snagged on the young buck's ears or horn buds.

Ironically, the container that resembles a feed bag is instead keeping the animal from eating and possibly drinking.

Zoo personnel, as well as other animal experts, planned to return to the site. If they see the deer, they hope to shoot a tranquilizer dart into him, remove the plastic jack-o'-lantern after the buck becomes unconscious and take the animal somewhere to recover until he can be released back into the wild.