Estonia: Video captures deer chasing off a young bear
Witnesses in Estonia's Lääne County filmed a rare scene of a roe deer chasing a young bear named Väino, who has lived near the village since May. Estonia's Hunters' Association says mother deer become especially aggressive in spring and early summer while protecting their fawns.
In the village of Kullamaa in Estonia's Lääne County, witnesses filmed an unusual scene: a young bear being chased by a roe deer. Footage shows the bear running at full speed down a road with the deer in pursuit right behind it.
Local resident Kadi says the young bear has been present in and around the village since late May, spotted almost daily wandering through streets and yards while exploring the area. Residents nicknamed the bear Väino, and it quickly became something of a local celebrity.
The day before the chase was filmed, Väino had already been spotted in another resident's yard, but that person didn't have a phone on hand to capture the encounter. The following day, however, someone managed to film a scene that surprised even experienced wildlife researchers.
Why the deer wasn't afraid
Although the incident itself occurred back in late May, Estonia's Hunters' Association decided to share the footage only now, noting that such scenes are extremely rarely observed in nature. Experts explain that fawns are born in late spring and early summer, which makes mother deer fearless and aggressive toward any potential intruder during this period — even toward a young bear.
