Every year, wildlife rehabilitators care for healthy fawns that were thought to be orphaned. It is normal for a mother deer to leave a fawn alone for periods of time. They come back only a few times a day to feed the baby, who waits quietly while hiding from predators.
If you find a fawn lying quietly, and you are worried they have been abandoned, don’t disturb them. Check on the fawn from a distance for the next 24 hours – the mother will likely return and move the baby to a new spot.
If the fawn has not moved after 24 hours, starts to cry, is wandering aimlessly, or looks injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away.
If the fawn is in an unsafe location, move them gently to a safe spot very close by so they won’t get hurt.
Print our card on what to do if you find a deer fawn (PDF).
Read more about rescuing wild animals.
