Wildlife Officials Race to Save Injured Deer ‘Floppy’ in Hollywood Hills with Bone Stuck in Mouth

Los Angeles, CA – Wildlife officials in Hollywood Hills are in a race to save a well-known local deer affectionately named “Floppy,” who has become a local icon for hikers and residents. Floppy, a mother deer, was recently spotted with a large bone lodged in her mouth, preventing her from eating or drinking and putting her life at risk.

Floppy and her fawn frequently roam the area around Hollywood Reservoir, where she’s become a beloved sight. However, on October 11, 2024, hikers noticed something was wrong when they saw her with a large bone stuck in her mouth. The bone appears to be preventing her from feeding and drinking water, leaving her visibly distressed.

Local wildlife experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have since been searching for Floppy to help her. Despite closing down popular walking trails to keep her from being disturbed, their attempts to locate her have not succeeded.

A Shocking Discovery

Wildlife biologist Tim Daly expressed his surprise at the unusual nature of the case, describing it as one of the strangest things he has encountered in his career. The bone, which is believed to be a femur, is lodged in such a way that it may be blocking Floppy’s throat, severely impairing her ability to eat or drink.

John Gilkey, a local hiker, described the sight of the bone as “gnarly-looking,” noting that it’s not a small bone but rather a large and obstructive one that could be causing her immense discomfort. “It’s heartbreaking because you can tell she’s in distress,” said Gilkey.

Tim Daly added that the bone’s origin could be clearer, leaving wildlife experts intrigued. It could belong to an animal or a human, but regardless of its origin, it poses a significant threat to Floppy’s survival. Until the bone is remove, the deer remains at risk of starvation and dehydration.

Efforts to Rescue Floppy

The situation took an even more urgent turn as wildlife officials began planning a rescue mission to immobilize the deer using a tranquillizer dart. Once immobilized, they hope to remove the bone and provide the necessary medical treatment. However, the terrain of the Hollywood Hills makes the rescue operation particularly challenging.

Kevin Howells, a biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, explained that it takes around ten minutes for tranquillizers to take effect, during which time the deer could flee and hide. This complicates efforts to capture her, especially considering that she’s already weak, malnourished, and frightened safely.

“She’s not quite emaciated yet, but she’s on her way,” Howells said, explaining that the bone lodged in her mouth makes it nearly impossible for Floppy to eat or drink. He added that deer normally eat by “browsing” on leaves and shoots, but in Floppy’s case, the bone hinders this natural behaviour.

Local Concerns and Social Media Response

News of Floppy’s predicament has spread quickly, and concerned residents have flooded social media with pleas for help. A video clip of the deer has been share widely, with many urging wildlife officials to intervene as soon as possible. Some animal rescue groups have even offered assistance, though officials are stressing the importance of allowing trained experts to handle the delicate situation.

“It’s just terrible,” said resident Arlene Pileggi, who visits the reservoir daily. She’s deeply worry about the deer’s survival and feels helpless watching from a distance. “You want to help so badly, but you know it’s best to leave it to the professionals,” Pileggi added.

Private animal rescuer Austin Muhs also expressed concern, describing the situation as dire. He noted that the deer’s malnourishment, combined with the bone stuck in her mouth, is likely causing her significant pain and discomfort. “It’s a very delicate situation,” Muhs said, adding that any delay in rescuing her could have fatal consequences.

A Mystery That Baffles Experts

One of the most perplexing aspects of the situation is how the bone became lodged in the deer’s mouth in the first place. Typically, deer feed on natural vegetation such as berries, nuts, and twigs, making the bone in Floppy’s mouth particularly unusual.

Kevin Howells explained that, while rare, deer sometimes chew on bones to extract minerals that they are not getting from their diet. This behaviour, call osteophagia, is occasionally observe in wild herbivores, especially when their diet lacks key nutrients.

However, it remains to be seens why Floppy would have pick up such a large and unwieldy bone. “It’s not something we see often,” Howells said. “She must be in a lot of pain.”

What’s Next for Floppy?

As of now, wildlife officials remain hopeful that they will be able to locate and rescue Floppy before it’s too late. They continue monitoring the area and have urge the public to avoid hiking near the reservoir, as they do not want the deer to be scare off.

Howells and his team are prepare with the necessary tranquillizers and medical supplies to treat the deer once they can capture her. The hope is that once the bone is remove, Floppy can fully recover and return to the wild with her fawn.

However, time is running out. Each day, the risk of dehydration, starvation, and infection grows. Officials have emphasize that the operation must be carry out swiftly and with care, as the deer’s weakened condition makes her vulnerable to further health complications.

For now, the residents of Hollywood Hills continue to hold out hope for Floppy’s safe rescue and recovery. “I think they’ll find her,” Gilkey said optimistically. “Hopefully, she can have a long and prosperous life with her fawn.”

Conclusion

The case of Floppy the Deer has captured the hearts of many in Hollywood Hills and beyond. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between wildlife and human urban environments, where unexpected challenges can arise at any moment. As wildlife experts work to save this beloved animal, the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome, united by their love for the natural beauty that Floppy represents.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether Floppy can overcome this life-threatening challenge. For now, the public watches and waits, supporting the dedicated wildlife experts racing against time to save her.