Deer with severed head found on Great Ocean Road in Bellbrae

A deer hit by a car on the Great Ocean Road has been found with its head severed off. WARNING: GRAPHIC

A headless deer on the side of the Great Ocean Road near Addiscott Rd. Picture: Alison Wynd

A deer with a severed head has been found on the side of the Great Ocean Road.

The grim discovery was made on Wednesday evening between Addiscott and Jarosite roads in Bellbrae.

Surf Coast Wildlife Rescue’s Jason Cichocki said the deer had been hit by a car and died on impact on Saturday.

It is not known when its head was cut off.

Mr Cichocki said it was common for foxes to chew through the necks of deer and kangaroos and then take the head back to their den to feed their babies, however, this example was “too clean” to be the work of a fox.

“As much as most of us would not disrespect any poor animal that has passed away like this, there are some that really don’t have that sort of empathy and see this an opportunity,” he said.

Mr Cichocki said there has been multiple deer hit in the Bellbrae and Bells Beach area recently.

He has been called out to 98 kangaroos and wallabies hit on the Surf Coast in February.

“We’ve got a fair population of deer in the Ironbark Basin, which is around the Bells Beach area,” he said.

“They are regularly roaming around … there is a lot less feed around in the bush because it has been so dry so they can coming closer to towns looking for fresh, green grass.”

A headless deer on the side of the Great Ocean Road near Addiscott Rd. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Surf Coast Shire spokeswoman said the council was aware of the incident.

“It has been referred to Transport Victoria who manage the Great Ocean Road, including the removal of deceased animals,” she said.

“If any member of the community has information about what happened to the deer and suspects illegal hunting is involved, they are encouraged to contact the Game Management Authority.”

Mr Cichocki said the incident was a reminder to locals to be vigilant when driving on roads and be on the look out for roaming wildlife.

It comes amid calls for a US influencer to be deported after footage went viral of her taking a distressed baby wombat away from its mother for a photo opportunity.

Originally published as Deer with severed head found on Great Ocean Road in Bellbrae