THE Lane family of Kingsteignton have a real life Bambi finding its legs in their Exeter Road home after father Richard Lane discovered the newborn deer abandoned in a field. ' I saw this little thing curled up. I thought he was dead he was so still but when I touched him he moved.' For an hour, Mr Lane hid to see if the fawn's mother returned. 'Then I thought dammit, if I leave him here the foxes or hunting birds will have him, so I took him home.' On seeing the creature, Mr Lane's three-year-old grandson, Oliver, exclaimed: 'ooh look, we have got a real Bambi.' And the new family member was named. Mr Lane phoned his vet, Marcus Langer, who is also the vet for Paigton Zoo, to ask for advice. 'He told me to feed it on evaporated milk mixed with warm water and syringe it into his mouth. He seems to be loving it. 'Yesterday he stood up and was moving round on his long legs. His ears are pricked and he has settled down. It is incredible for a wild animal.' Mr Lane plans to move him up to his fields at Lindridge Hill, where he keeps horses. Whether or not Bambi chooses to return to the wild, will be up to him. An RSPCA spokesman said that anyone finding a young animal in those circumstances should ring their Cruelty and Advice Line on 0870 5555999 so that an inspector can give appropriate advice. 'It usually is best to leave young animals. Quite often their parents are within sight helping them to learn to be more independent. 'It is best to watch at a distance to see whether the parents are around and if you are still concerned to give us a call.'
