The Shadow
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Game and Inlands Fisheries is reminding the public to avoid contact with while-tailed deer fawns which commonly show up in yards this time of year.
Fawns, born from May through July, are purposely left alone by their mothers, called does, to avoid leading predators such as dogs or coyotes to their location.
Concerned people sometimes pick up the fawns, thinking they are orphaned. But does will return several times each day to move or feed their young. People will probably not see the doe since she only stays to feed the fawn for just a few minutes before leaving it alone again.
If less than 24 hours have passed since a fawn has been “rescued” by a person, the fawn should be taken back and released at the same location it was found.
After returning the fawn, persons should immediately leave the area and not wait for the doe to return. The doe will not come back for the fawn if a human is nearby.
If a person encounters a wile animal that is injured or truly orphaned, they should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator by calling the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (855)-571-9003.
Raising a wild animal in captivity is illegal unless you have a DGIF wildlife rehabilitation permit. Each animal’s nutritional, housing, and handling requirements are very specific and must be met if they have any chance of survival.
With even the best professional care possible, the survival rate of rehabilitated fawns and many other animals is very low. The best advice for someone who wants to help wildlife is to keep it wild. Once people interfere, it reduces the opportunity for animals to receive natural care.
