Leave The Fawns Alone People!
After reading the story about that bison calf that had to be destroyed because of idiot tourists… I want DU'ers to know that if you find a newborn fawn in an odd place LEAVE IT ALONE!
It is almost definitely not abandoned. Deer drop their babies wherever they are when the time comes, leave it where it is for the day and come back at night to nurse.
I don't know for a fact that bison are like deer. But this is a public service announcement.
IF YOU FIND A FAWN SOMEWHERE WEIRD> LEAVE IT ALONE.
Ninety-nine percent of "Fawn Calls" do not involve orphans.
Generally, if there is no dead doe in the area or on nearby roads, the fawn is not an orphan.
Often does will not return to their fawns until well after dark.
Keep yourself and pets far away from the fawn. It may take a good 24 hours for a doe to feel safe enough to return to her fawn. If a mother were to return to her fawn prematurely, she might risk leading a predator directly to her fawn.
Do not touch the fawn! This could cause the mother to reject it. If the fawn has already been "handled", wipe the fawn off with a clean towel rubbed with dirt, put on a clean pair of gloves, and return the fawn to the site of origin.
If the fawn has wandered into someone's garage or other precarious position, gently coax the fawn out or move to a quiet, nearby site while wearing gloves. Do not move the fawn too far.
Coyotes, dogs, cats, raccoons, construction, etc. are not reasons for fawn removal. These are things that deer must encounter on a daily basis in Connecticut. A mother deer will move her fawn away from danger if given the chance.
Fawns are born late May through the end of June, with the peak number born in early June. Mother deer often give birth at night in areas (such as people's front yards) which may seem perfectly safe at night but differ drastically during daylight hours.
For the first 5 days after birth, fawns will not run when approached. Instead, they will exhibit "freeze behavior". They lie still when approached, even permitting handling with little resistance. From the 7th day on, fawns will exhibit "flight behavior" when approached. By one month of age fawns venture out to browse with their mothers.
Fawns raised by humans must be raised in groups of 6 or more. They are herding animals who must be raised with a large enough group of their own species. Fawns will imprint on humans very quickly if kept by themselves or with too few other fawns.
Above all do no harm! If the fawn appears to be orphaned or injured please call: Wildlife in Crisis at (203) 544-9913.
http://www.wildlifeincrisis.com/guidelines/fawns.htm
IF YOU CARE, LEAVE IT THERE
DEC Urges New Yorkers Not To Disturb Fawns and Other Young Wildlife
New Yorkers should keep their distance and not to disturb newborn fawns or other young wildlife as many animals are in the peak season for giving birth, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today cautioned.
It is not unusual to see a young bird crouched in the yard or a young rabbit in the flower garden, both apparently abandoned. Finding a fawn deer lying by itself is also fairly common. Many people assume that young wildlife found alone are helpless and need assistance for their survival, however, in nearly all cases this is a mistake and typically human interaction does more damage than good. Those that see a fawn or other newborn wildlife should enjoy their encounter but keep it brief, maintain some distance and do not attempt to touch the animal.
http://mylonglake.com/2012/05/22/fawns-do-not-disturb-the-wildlife/
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