Every spring and summer, wildlife rescue centers face their busiest time of year as young animals arrive in need of help. At Holly’s Nest Animal Rescue in Sanford, North Carolina, that challenge becomes especially intense during deer season. While many people may only see a few fawns each year, Byron and Kim Wortham can receive several new arrivals every day.
Most of these young deer have lost their mothers in vehicle accidents and have nowhere else to go. Through patience, dedication, and compassion, the couple provides a safe place for orphaned wildlife to recover before returning to the wild where they belong.
Deer season brings a flood of rescues
As peak deer season arrives, Holly’s Nest Animal Rescue becomes busier than ever. The rescue can take in between five and eight fawns each day, many of them orphaned after their mothers were struck by vehicles.
The Worthams care for these vulnerable animals on their 12-acre property outside Sanford. Their facility is considered the largest deer rehabilitation center in North Carolina and helps an average of 150 deer every year.
Caring for young fawns requires constant work
Many of the rescued fawns arrive in heartbreaking condition. Some were born after their mothers were killed, while others continued trying to nurse even after losing their parents.
Feeding the growing number of deer is a major responsibility. Byron Wortham estimates that by the end of June, he could be preparing around 100 baby bottles for the fawns at each feeding session, and repeating the process twice a day.
A rescue home filled with many animals
Although deer are a major focus, Holly’s Nest cares for a wide variety of wildlife. The rescue is home to animals ranging from baby beavers and skunks to foxes, raccoons, owls, and opossums.
Each animal receives specialized care based on its needs. The property includes unique residents such as a one-legged duck nicknamed Pogo Stick, a barn owl named Arthur, and two macaws named Jimmy Buffet and Bruce Springsteen.
Helping wildlife affected by human activity
Byron Wortham believes that many wildlife emergencies are connected to human activity. From vehicle collisions to habitat disruption, animals often suffer because of changes to their environment.
He encourages people to view wildlife with compassion rather than frustration. While some residents complain about deer damaging plants or appearing near roads, Wortham believes humans have a responsibility to help animals whenever possible.
A mission inspired by family and loss
The rescue carries deep personal meaning for Byron and Kim Wortham. In 2004, they lost their 18-year-old daughter, Holly, in a car accident, a tragedy that changed their lives forever.
Holly loved animals, and the rescue was created to honor her memory. Through their work, the Worthams have transformed personal grief into a mission to help injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife.
Giving wild animals a future
Unlike dogs and cats, most of the animals cared for at Holly’s Nest are not available for adoption. The goal is to rehabilitate them and eventually release them back into natural habitats where they can thrive.
Support from donors and conservation partners helps make those releases possible. Large protected areas are used to return animals safely to the wild, allowing them to continue living as nature intended.
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