Confused deer joins flock of sheep

A confused young red deer which thinks he's a lamb has joined a flock of sheep.

Shepherd Andrew Capell was shocked when he was counting his sheep and noticed the male red deer had joined his flock on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.

Mr Capell, who looks after the sheep which maintain the National Trust land, said the lost deer became separated from its herd and attached itself to the flock.

He has been living, eating and sleeping with his 100 new friends for about two weeks now and shows no sign of leaving.

"I was counting the sheep when I spotted this little deer amongst the flock," said Mr Capell. "I've never known of this happening before.

"I think what's happened is that the main herd of deer have come through the field, jumped over the fence and then jumped out again and he's not gone with them.

"He seems to have adopted the flock and stayed with them and the flock have taken to him really well.

"There's a bit of a pecking order in the flock so he's finding his place within it. He seems to be the bottom of the ladder."

At the end of the winter the sheep will be taken back to their summer home, but the deer will have to stay behind on Dunwich Heath.

A spokesman for the National Trust added: "It is hoped the young deer will rejoin his herd if they roam past the flock over the coming weeks."