Another Causality in Ruston (of a different sort)

Most of us in the north end have a love-hate relationship with the local deer population. They are increasing in number and often seen at dusk in local yards, especially here in Ruston with the park next door. It's a thrill to see these large, graceful creatures tiptoe through the median on Winnifred or gallop down the street, but challenging if you try to grow roses where their hungry mouths can reach. This time of year, there are many a fawn tucked away in local bushes too.

Ruston recently put in a deer crossing sign at the bottom of 51st Street at the insistence of a resident in the neighborhood. The deer frequently cross between the train gully to head to the park. We had a causality last Friday morning when a doe had to be put down after an apparent impact from a car. No one reported the accident, but there was plenty of evidence left at the scene.

As hard as this was, the challenge was compounded when a young fawn came wandering out from the brush a short time later. Animal control was called, a trap is set and there is hope the youngster can taken to a new home. Another reminder of the challenge of the natural beauty that surrounds us and the difficulty of balancing nature and man co-existing in a very urban environment.