These two cheeky boys are well-known at the Sanctuary for their clothes-chewing antics. Many of the babies we rescue end up with funny comfort-habits - some chew on paper, one likes to run off with our display antlers, but Leo and Luka get very content and zoned-out when they are happily munching on fabric. They have ruined many of my dresses over the years!
Leo and Luka are fallow deer with melanistic colouring (the opposite of albino). They were found in flooding in Northern NSW in December 2020. They may be twins, but perhaps just had the same father. They are very hard to tell apart, despite the fact that Luka was very unwell when first brought in, nearly died of sepsis, and was therefore was much smaller and weaker than Leo for a long time. He caught up in the end, though!
 
When you sponsor Leo and Luka, you will be helping to provide food, comfortable environments and veterinary care for them and all the animals here at the Lyell Deer Sanctuary, and supporting us to be able to continue rescuing and rehabilitating more deer. We are entirely self-funded, and every little bit helps so much!
 
You will also receive:
• A personalised sponsorship certificate
• A full-colour photograph of Leo and Luka
• Lyell Deer Sanctuary pen and stickers
• Quarterly letters/updates from Leo and Luka themselves, posted physically to the sponsor’s address (or delivered digitally if preferred). Children are encouraged to write back to them to receive a personal response!
• Free admission to the Deer Sanctuary for 12 months, so you can visit and cuddle Leo and Luka as often as you like. Wear clothes you don’t mind being chewed on!
• 10% off tickets to events at Lyell Deer Sanctuary, including our Christmas ‘Adopt-A-Reindeer’ activities and birthday parties