It is imperative to remember fawns RARELY need to be rescued! And if they do need to be rescued finders have zero business feeding them. Ever. No formula, No water, No to EVERYTHING!
FIRST let’s talk about all the things that are NORMAL.
• It is normal for healthy fawns to be left alone for several hours or even days. Mom will park her baby and watch from a safe distance. This is because Mom has a scent that could attract predators and babies do not have a scent. And mom is very visible while babies have spotted fur to help them blend in with their surroundings.
• Mom returns to feed after dark and before dawn when she feels it is safe. You will probably never see her.
• A fawn curled up like a puppy or kitten is normal. It may change locations and move short distances. Young fawns -two weeks or younger- are not very agile. They move slowly and if you’re not used to watching a fawn walk you might assume the fawn has a limp, but it’s just practicing finding balance.
• Fawns also have one of two responses to predators. A freeze response which a human could mistake for a fawn being docile or unable to stand/move. Or a flight response in which the fawn runs away when you approach. FYI, humans are predators.
• Never, ever chase a fawn. If it can run, leave it alone.
Of course, there are obvious reasons a fawn might need to be rescued.
Fawns need tp be rescued if:
→ They are found with a dead mother
→ Are alone for more than 24 hours AND showing signs of declining health (remember alone and healthy is ok!)
→ Heard calling for mom for several hours (it’s ok to hear a fawn call for mom every now and then)
→ Have obvious life-threatening injuries/bleeding
→ Have ants or fly larva on them.
→ If they are lying flat on their side
Curled ears DOES NOT mean a fawn needs to be rescued.
A mom will not reject her fawn if a human has touched it. We prefer you NOT handle any wildlife because it causes a tremendous amount of stress to the animal, but being touched or handled by a human is not a reason to remove a fawn from the wild.
It is unlawful to take or possess an antlerless deer (including fawns) without permission from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (SC Code of Laws 50-11-410)
NEVER, EVER remove a fawn from the wild unless you have been instructed to by an experienced fawn rescue.
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