We get this question a lot on our hotline during the fawn season from April to early August. Fortunately, many fawns found laying alone do not need intervention. Mother deer will often 'park' their babies and leave them for 12+ hours before coming back to get them. This gives the mother a chance to get food without having to worry about her baby toddling behind her, and allows the fawn to rest. This can make it confusing to know when a fawn needs help, so I hope to clarify this dilemma.
When not to help:
When a fawn is ‘parked’, they will be laying, curled up (like a dog or cat), sometimes in odd places. The fawn should look bright eyed and alert, and sit quietly for the most part. They may get up to change positions and move around or find a more comfortable spot. It’s okay for them to cry on occasion. They do this to periodically alert their mom of where they are. If this sounds characteristic of your situation, please keep your distance from the fawn and do not attempt to interact, feed, or touch them.
When to help:
While ‘parking’ fawns is a normal behavior, some fawns who are laying down do need help. Here are the signs to look out for:
it is obviously injured (open wounds, bleeding, bone exposure)
it is crying for 30 minutes or more
it has flies, maggots, or other bugs on it
it is laying flat on its side with its legs straight out
it has feces on its hind end (diarrhea)
it has labored breathing
it is near a dead adult doe
its ears are curled back at the tips and its nose is dry
If you see a fawn exhibiting any of these signs or have any other concerns, please call or text us at 914-424-9719 and/or Animal Nation at 914-400-6014, so we can assess the situation. Do not attempt to pick up, feed, or handle the fawn in any way before contacting us.
Using this information, we hope to empower citizens to make informed choices on how and when to help fawns. If you are still unsure if the fawn needs help, please contact us or another licensed wildlife rehabber.
Please note, it is unethical and illegal for a non-licensed member of the public to care for wildlife. Always contact a licensed wildlife rehabber if you have wildlife concerns or questions.
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