Orphaned deer fawn becomes best friends with crested pigeon

SYDNEY, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- An orphaned deer being raised by rescuers in Australia found companionship with an unlikely friend -- a pigeon.

The fawn, dubbed Faline after Bambi's mate in the classic Disney film, was taken into the care of a wildlife rescuer named Jess after her mother was killed by hunters in Sydney's Berkshire Park.

The deer, rescued in December, quickly formed a close friendship with a crested pigeon that took to grooming Faline and riding on her back.

Jess said Faline can't be released back into the wild because deer are non-native species introduced to Australia.