Deer spotted in Bedford, N.S., with Christmas lights tangled in antlers

A deer with Christmas lights wrapped around its antlers was seen in Bedford, N.S.

Wildlife officials are monitoring a deer seen roaming through a Bedford, N.S., neighbourhood with Christmas lights tangled around its antlers.

The Department of Natural Resources says it was made aware of the deer on Dec 12, 2025 from a report by a local resident in the Ridgevale Drive area. Wildlife technicians have since been actively searching for the animal, which has been moving throughout Bedford.

“Situations like this are not uncommon in areas close to urban settings, where wildlife can become entangled in items such as Christmas lights or outdoor furniture,” the department said in a statement.

Hope for Wildlife founder Hope Swinimer says while the sighting is concerning, the entanglement may resolve itself naturally.

“If the garbage isn’t impeding their ability to eat, especially when it’s around their antlers, those antlers will drop, probably in February or early March, and hopefully all of that stuff will fall off with them,” she said.

Swinimer says Hope for Wildlife frequently sees animals tangled in human debris, including Christmas lights, tomato cages and hammocks, and stresses the importance of properly securing or disposing of outdoor items.

She also cautions that tranquilizing adult deer carries serious risks.

“Adult deer can die very easily from something called capture myopathy,” she said.

Under current rules, wildlife rehabilitators in Nova Scotia are not permitted to intervene with adult deer, leaving decisions around capture or intervention to the Department of Natural Resources.

The department is asking members of the public not to approach the deer and to report sightings by calling 1-800-565-2224, which helps wildlife technicians respond safely and appropriately.

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