Confused deer has been stranded in Jersey Shore water for hours

TOMS RIVER — Authorities tried to rescue a deer that appeared to be stranded for hours in the surf in Ortley Beach.

But more than six hours after the six-point buck waded into the water, at times looking as if it would dart deeper into the ocean, the deer strolled onto dry land.

The deer's struggle was being captured on live TV by News 12 New Jersey, which showed a State Police boat arriving on scene before 3 p.m.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife said they are sending a team to help the animal.

The TV camera captured the buck being hit in the face by waves. At one point the deer briefly galloped through the water before once again freezing in place, turning its head between the shore and the ocean.

The deer walked back onto the beach about 3:15 p.m., where it warily looked at people gathered nearby.

John Bergmann, director of Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, says it would be difficult to rescue the deer — and there are fears that the deer may bolt back into the water.

“The problem is that once they 30 or 40 feet from the deer, he goes back in the water," Bergmann said. "You might cause his demise by shifting him further in.”

"He probably got in the water somehow in the bay and came out in the inlet. I’ve had it happen before a little further up by the marine police station. It came out there and got into the ocean.”

In a Facebook post before 9 a.m., the Toms River PBA said the deer was spotted in the water early Wednesday morning. The PBA discouraged people from helping. In the post the PBA said the deer "will most likely get himself home at some point today."

"If you see it wandering around Ortley Beach, don't approach it," the post said. "Just let it be as it will get scared."

Dan Alexander contributed to this report.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com