Unless the robbers really knew what they were doing or had a lactating mother deer, the fawn stolen from Razzett tal-Ħbiberija in Marsascala two weeks ago would be dead by now, according to Inspire CEO Nathan Farrugia.

The baby deer, which was born on the farm, will now be replaced through a private donation, after the foundation, which works with disabled persons, received “overwhelming” support from the public after the robbery, according to Mr Farrugia.

The fawn was stolen along with four mountain goats and a parrot in the second such break-in in three years at the Marsascala Park. The foundation, now named Inspire after a merger with Eden Foundation, is a leader in the local disability sector and uses the animals for human-animal interaction with the children.

Inspire have also stepped up security through the installation of more CCTV cameras donated by Alberta Security. Several goats were also donated to the foundation.

Mr Farrugia said that although the police returned last week for further forensic investigations, as yet nothing had been revealed about the robbers.

The financial loss from the robbery was estimated to be about €1,000 but the cost to the foundation is greater than that.

“The animals are important to us not only as an attraction but also for therapeutic input, making the loss a big one for us,” said Mr Farrugia. In December 2007, an adult deer was bludgeoned to death in a similar break-in in which several animals including a monkey and a deer were stolen.

Earlier this year a man was imprisoned and another two received lesser sentences for the theft.

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