Our first fawn of the year enjoying his outdoor time. This little guy came in last week after being found lying on his side, cold and lethargic at the side of the road. He is responding well to treatment and his hydration has improved.
How he is pictured here is actually a perfect example of a fawn that DOES NOT need help. If you find a fawn peacefully curled up and quiet, it is extremely likely mom is nearby.
Fawns do not have a scent so they are well camouflaged from predators. Their mother however, does have a scent so she stays away to protect her baby. She returns several times per day only to feed while the baby is too young to walk long distances.
If you find a fawn that is lying on its side, is crying loudly, is approaching humans or has ears that curl at the ends, this baby may be orphaned and in need of help.
We know they are adorable but please do not interact with fawns if you find a healthy one. They imprint very easily and acclimating them to human voice, touch or smell can be extremely dangerous to their future.
At Procyon Wildlife, all fawn handlers are required to wear a gown to cover scent of clothing, a mask to shield the face and must refrain from talking around the fawn. As we must feed them by bottle, they are susceptible to imprinting so we must be diligent to avoid this.
This young guy will be with us for the remaining of the summer and will be released at the end of hunting season. Our hope is he will have at least one companion to ensure he gets the proper socialization for his rehabilitation.
This photo was captured with a zoom camera.