|
|
 |
|
The following information applies to baby deer only!!!
- 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.
The above applies to young fawns only (under 3 months of
age). Adult deer cannot be successfully rehabilitated. An adult
deer who is injured (hit by car, etc.) and cannot get up and
walk away on its own should be euthanized. Call local police
or the Department of Environmental Protection at (860)424-3333.
Information provided by:
Wildlife in Crisis, Inc.
Box 1246, Weston, CT 06883
back to top...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
