deer lake scarborough

A deer jumped into a lake in Toronto and a boat guided it back to shore

A deer was seen jumping into a lake in Scarborough on Monday and a nearby boat guided it back to shore. 

Marilyn Louis was visiting the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant just after 5:30 p.m. when she witnessed a deer appear from the east side of the plant. 

Louis says the deer became panicked by the crowds of people in the area, and that it jumped into Lake Ontario beside the water facility. 

Luckily, there was a person in a small boat nearby who cautiously rode behind the deer to guide it back to shore. 

Although it happened pretty fast, Louis was able to capture the rescue on her phone and posted a video of it on The Beaches Toronto Facebook group. 

"An angel on a boat," said Tracy Torrance,  a community member who commented on the video. 

Many others expressed gratitude towards Louis for capturing such a wholesome interaction.  

"The deer is gorgeous, canoe to the rescue!!!" said Jessica Arseneau

Some people were concerned for the safety of the deer after it got out of the water. 

"Hope could get to higher ground from where he ran on the beach," said Marie Middleton. "So glad he made it back to shore, must have been frightening for him," she added. 

The deer was able to reach a mount of rocks, where it stumbled a few times, until reaching safety on shore and running away. 

Lead photo by

Marilyn Louis 


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Lineups for the ferry from the Toronto Islands are already packed and chaotic

Someone tried to help at scene of Ontario crash and had their car stolen immediately

This race proves whether it's faster to 'ride the loop' on TTC subway or walk

Ontario is home to a second venomous snake species you may not know about

There's a new worst road in Ontario but Toronto's nightmare street is still up there

People are complaining about another feature of Toronto's declining waterfront attraction

Canada Child Benefit increasing soon and you could get nearly $7,800 per kid

A Toronto park is about to be totally transformed and here's what it will look like