Carmel, the 'friendly deer,' dies

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WLUK) - It's a rare sight when a wild animal finds comfort at the hands of humans. Such was the case of a friendly deer named Carmel. The animal found refuge amongst the residents in a rural Town of Oneida neighborhood.

"She came and ate and slept a bit and she'd leave and come back two or three times a day, and I miss that it's kind of hard that she's gone," said Robin Johnson, who cared for Carmel.

Carmel enjoyed some unique luxuries, thanks in particular to resident Robin Johnson, and the 1-year-old doe trusted her like no other.

Johnson says Carmel thought of her as her mother.

Then two weeks ago the DNR, acting on a typical complaint of deer eating expensive plants, agreed instead of shooting Carmel to place her at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

Carmel the friendly deer was brought to the sanctuary to protect her from cars and hunters but the new surroundings just weren't compatible.

"I got a call from the sanctuary and they said she passed away and that hurt me very badly. I love her and thought she was going to have a long life and never thought she was going to die," said Johnson holding back tears.

On Monday sanctuary workers found her dead. She had been in an isolated pen when she first arrived but later moved to a larger enclosure. A statement from sanctuary director Ty Baumann reads, "Our veterinary staff has concluded that Carmel died from stress related to not being raised with other deer and not adjusting well to a captive situation." adding, "Unfortunately in this situation releasing Carmel was not an option due to her unnatural trust in humans."

"I was shocked it was supposed to be a safe place where we could go visit," said resident Karen Englebert.

Neighbors who cared for Carmel have many unanswered questions about the deer's fate. Just weeks ago they were comfortable with the decision to relocate her, but now have second thoughts.

"I think it should have stayed here. We were worried about her getting killed," said Englebert.

And instead of being able to visit Carmel, they're left with just memories.