06/05/2026
This is your weekly reminder that fawns RARELY need to be rescued!
đź“Ś 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.
đź“Ś Mom returns to feed after dark and before dawn when she feels it is safe. You will probably never see her.
đź“Ś 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 or injury, but it's just practicing finding balance.
đź“Ś 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.
đź“Ś Never, ever chase a fawn. If it can run, leave it alone.
đź“Ś Of course, there are obvious reasons a fawn might need to be rescued. Fawns need rescue 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 laying flat on their side
NOTE: Curled ears DOES NOT mean a fawn needs to be rescued.
NEVER, EVER remove a fawn from the wild unless you have been instructed to by a rescue experienced in fawn rehab.
www.pinetreehillwildlife.org
