Finding a Baby Fawn

Baby fawn season is upon us. They are one of nature's cutest infants. One look and all you can think about is reaching out to touch their soft spotted coat. Those large brown eyes, accented by long wispy eyelashes, will just about melt your heart. Should you happen to come across a fawn in your travels, or hear of someone finding what they think is an orphaned fawn please; remember the following advice.

Does often leave their babies in a secluded spot with express instructions that the fawn stay put, no matter what, until she returns. Just because a fawn is found alone does NOT mean it is abandoned. The mother is probably just grabbing a quick bite to eat. Leave the baby alone unless you see a dead mother.

If you are faced with the situation of meeting someone who took a baby from its hiding spot, suggest they return it to the place they found it. You may also tell them that does will not abandon their fawns just because a human touched it. They will, however, give up on retrieving their fawns if the fawn is removed (from where the doe left it) and kept for periods of more than about 10 hours. The opportunity to have a successful reuniting of fawn and doe will optimally occur if the fawn is returned to the exact spot where it was found.

If the person is worried about the fawn's well being they can check on it once...from a distance, just after sundown. The doe should return to the fawn around sundown to allow the fawn to nurse.

Mothers are best equipped to raise their own babies, which is as nature intended it. Please don't interfere unless you are sure the baby has been orphaned.

Ann Connell, a Texas wildlife rehabilitator, has written books on raising whitetail deer. She also has the following website for what to do if you find a fawn.... "http://www.concentric.net/%7EConnell4/in..."

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