“Please Don’t Fawn Over Fawn”: Wildlife Experts Urge Public to Leave Baby Deer Alone

As spring and early summer bring new life to forests and backyards, wildlife officials are reminding residents of an important message: If you see a fawn lying alone, leave it alone.

Every year, well-meaning individuals across the country "rescue" hundreds of young deer they believe have been abandoned by their mothers. In reality, these fawns are often perfectly healthy — and not abandoned at all.

Why Are Fawns Alone?

Doe (female deer) instinctively leave their fawns hidden and alone for long periods during the day. This is a survival strategy: newborn fawns have little scent, and staying still and hidden reduces the chance of attracting predators like coyotes, foxes, or dogs. The mother typically returns at dawn and dusk to nurse and check on her baby.

It’s natural for a fawn to be lying quietly in tall grass, under a bush, or even near a sidewalk. Unless you see visible signs of injury or the fawn is in immediate danger, do not touch it.

The Consequences of “Rescuing” a Fawn

Taking a fawn out of the wild separates it from its mother, significantly reducing its chance of survival. In many cases, people who take them in are unable to properly care for them.

What Should You Do If You Find a Fawn?

• Leave it where it is.
  A quiet, still fawn is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

• Do not touch or feed it.
  Human scent or interference can attract predators or cause the mother to abandon it.

• Observe from a distance.
  If it appears sick, injured, or is still in the same place after 24+ hours, call animal control. (732-873-5533)

Spread the Word: If You Care, Leave Them There

Residents are encouraged to share this message on social media using hashtags like #LeaveFawnsBe and #IfYouCareLeaveThemThere to raise awareness.