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Don't Be a Kidnapper!
Monday, June 13, 2011
By: Elise Ramsey
Baby waiting for mother
All wildlife babies do best when with their mothers. Do you know how to tell when a baby deer is really in danger?
We have recently gotten some calls from very confused people regarding fawns. Since this is a big time of year for baby fawns, here is some basic information about fawns courtesy of Help 4 Wildlife:
- The doe leaves her babies deliberately to protect them. They are often found in people's yards, sometimes very close to houses. Yes, even in subdivisions where residents may never see deer around.
- For the first two weeks, fawns have no scent and cannot be found by predators, unlike mom who does have a scent and could attract a predator to her baby. The fawns have a wonderful camouflage for their defense and will "freeze" if approached. The doe, while still close by, will come back a couple times a day to feed her fawns.
- When the doe returns, she nurses quickly and it is unlikely you would ever see her. Kidnapping by humans is common and the doe watches while her baby is taken from her. It is important that the fawns are left alone. The doe will move it when ready.
- It the fawn is in harm's way (i.e., lawn care people are on site, the fawn is in an extremely high traffic or dangerous area), it is ok for you to move it out of danger, but do not move more than 50 feet in any direction. The doe will find her baby.
- If the fawn is curled up like a cat, not crying and there is no signs of a dead mother, you can be sure that it is not in danger and the doe is around.
- Signs of trouble in a fawn are : non stop crying, indentations above its eyes, maggots, feces on rear, cuts or broken bones, a cold mouth or unusually friendly towards people.
As always, if the fawn appears sick, injured or abandoned please refer directly to HSHV Cruelty & Rescue at (734) 662-5585, ext. 112.
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