With increasing habitat fragmentation, the loss of natural predators, and continual expanding of roadways, The New York D.O.T., is faced with the disposal of 25,000 deer carcasses a year from motor vehicle collisions. Traditional methods of disposal––incineration and mass graves, have become prohibitive due to cost and environmental concerns. However, a more viable, sustainable, and practical solution has become available. Composting deer. “Reclaimed,” illustrates the conflict between nature and humankind, and addresses the challenge of implementing solutions that are in harmony with our environment. This project considers the practice of deer composting performed by the Department of Transportation in Ulster County NY, which composts over 800 deer carcasses a year.
Juxtaposed deer.
Collision.
Front yard.
Where urban intersects with wild.
Daily rounds.
The most fatalities occur in autumn during mating season, otherwise known as "The Rut," when buck are in high pursuit of a doe.
Another deer fence under construction.
Each Department of Transportation region, must come up with their own method of picking up deer off the roadways.
Clean compost pile.
Fairway.
A large buck lays to rest at the bottom of a compost pile. Antlers are highly coveted, and often sawed off before deer are picked up.
The newly amended soil, is used to re-landscape the highways.
A small fawn is tossed onto a pile of composted Christmas trees.
WITH GRATITUDE
I'd like to thank the D.O.T of Uster County, for generously allowing me access to their facility and yard. Special thanks goes to Mike Augustine, and to Phil Timbrouck and his team, for without their help and support, this project would not have been possible. During the making of this project, I've become aware of the many challenges the highway department is faced with every day in keeping our roadways safe. Thank you for all you do.
RECLAIMED With increasing habitat fragmentation, the loss of natural predators, and continual expanding of roadways, The New York D.O.T., is faced with the disposal of 25,000 deer carcasses a year from motor vehicle collisions. Traditional methods of disposal––incine...
WITH GRATITUDE I'd like to thank the D.O.T of Uster County, for generously allowing me access to their facility and yard. Special thanks goes to Mike Augustine, and to Phil Timbrouck and his team, for without their help and support, this project would not have been possible. During the m...
Kuo Photo
Linda Kuo is a documentary photographer with a special interest in animals and the environment. Linda is based in New York.
