A wildlife hospital in south Essex has received an "increasing number" of calls regarding muntjac deer.

The South Essex Wildlife Hospital, located in Orsett, has had several injured muntjac deer brought in recently.

WARNING: This story contains a graphic image of an injured muntjac deer which some readers may find distressing.

The first was a fawn with an eye "hanging out", a dislocated jaw and a bursting bladder.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "This was a sad example of why you should not hold onto a casualty, the finder no doubt with the best of intentions had been looking after the deer for a few days, prolonging its suffering."

Another muntjac was found collapsed in a puddle, covered in mud with severe rear end injuries.

Echo: The injured fawn, which was brought in to the hospital with its eye hanging outThe injured fawn, which was brought in to the hospital with its eye hanging out (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

The hospital says he was possibly attacked by a dog.

One young male muntjac with a badly fractured pelvis was also rescued.

The spokesman added: "We have also attended to three more road traffic accidents resulting in leg and spinal fractures.

"Muntjac are classed as a schedule 9 invasive species as they are not native but their population appears to be growing as we are receiving an increasing number of calls regarding them."

To donate and help the wildlife hospital to continue to provide care and treatment for the wildlife they deal with everyday, visit southessexwildlife.org/donate. 

Every donation goes directly to help the animals and the running costs of the hospital, rehabilitation and veterinary facilities.