Saving fawns during mowing season

Theme(s)

Environment

Challenge

Animal welfare and biodiversity

Partners

Fondation Sauvetage Faons Vaud

Duration

2026

Locations

Switzerland – Vaud

Project funding

Didier and Martine Primat Foundation

Context

The Sauvetage Faons Vaud Foundation brings together more than 200 volunteers, including drone pilots, hunters, members of Prométerre, farmers and nature enthusiasts, all committed to protecting fawns during the spring mowing season. Active throughout the Canton of Vaud, the foundation works closely with agricultural stakeholders and the Cantonal Environment Department.

Objectives

Drastically reduce fawn mortality during spring mowing operations.
Prevent casualties through the systematic detection of animals before machinery enters the fields.
Coordinate farmers, volunteers, hunters and local authorities around a shared response.
Raise awareness among rural stakeholders about best practices and the importance of pre-mowing wildlife detection.

Actions

Use thermal imaging drones at dawn to locate fawns and move them to safety before mowing begins.
Organize field operations in coordination with farmers and mobilize trained volunteer teams.
Train and equip drone pilots and field assistants, while promoting awareness among farmers and agricultural operators.

Contexte

Context

Objectives

Drastically reduce fawn mortality during spring mowing operations.
Prevent casualties through the systematic detection of animals before machinery enters the fields.
Coordinate farmers, volunteers, hunters and local authorities around a shared response.
Raise awareness among rural stakeholders about best practices and the importance of pre-mowing wildlife detection.

Actions

Use thermal imaging drones at dawn to locate fawns and move them to safety before mowing begins.
Organize field operations in coordination with farmers and mobilize trained volunteer teams.
Train and equip drone pilots and field assistants, while promoting awareness among farmers and agricultural operators.

Contexte

Context

Objectives

Drastically reduce fawn mortality during spring mowing operations.
Prevent casualties through the systematic detection of animals before machinery enters the fields.
Coordinate farmers, volunteers, hunters and local authorities around a shared response.
Raise awareness among rural stakeholders about best practices and the importance of pre-mowing wildlife detection.

Actions

Use thermal imaging drones at dawn to locate fawns and move them to safety before mowing begins.
Organize field operations in coordination with farmers and mobilize trained volunteer teams.
Train and equip drone pilots and field assistants, while promoting awareness among farmers and agricultural operators.

Partner

Fondation Sauvetage Faons Vaud

La Fondation Sauvetage Faons Vaud regroupe plus de 200 bénévoles - des pilotes de drones, des chasseurs, Prométerre, des agriculteurs, ainsi que de nombreux amoureux de la nature - qui se sont donnés comme mission de sauver les faons au moment des fauches printanières. Active dans l’ensemble du canton de Vaud, elle intervient en collaboration avec les acteurs agricoles et la Direction générale de l’environnement.