Born to be Wild: Please Don’t Touch the Baby Animals

Posted on June 12, 2015 by FCPD Public Affairs Bureau

Tiny, newborn deer, are commonly reported to Animal Control

It’s that time of the year again, when concerned residents frequently call into Animal Control or their local wildlife agency to report that they have rescued or found “abandoned” or “orphaned” wildlife needing help. Every spring and summer, numerous young, wild animals are referred to wildlife rehabilitators for treatment and rearing. While these actions are well-intended, it is important to realize that they may be unnecessary and can be detrimental to the wildlife concerned.

In Fairfax County, it is common for people to encounter seemingly orphaned or abandoned fawns. Female deer, called does, typically leave their fawns bedded down for extended periods of time while they are away foraging in order to reduce the chances of leading predators to their fawn’s location. Does will return several times each day to move and/or feed their young although this behavior often goes undetected by people.

Survival rates of rehabilitated animals are often low and many do not survive their first year upon release back into the wild. A young animal’s best chance for survival is to receive natural care from its parents and remain wild. Often the best way to help is to simply give the fawn space and allow the mother to return to care for it. If you encounter a fawn, do not handle or disturb it to avoid causing unnecessary stress for the animal. Only if a fawn is showing obvious signs of injury or distress, such as wandering and crying incessantly, eyes swollen or has visible wounds, or if there is a dead doe nearby, should you seek help for the animal.

If you have questions about whether an animal is in need of help or to locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, you may contact the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline toll-free at 1-855-571-9003. This helpline is a collaborative effort between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. The Wildlife Rescue League also maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Virginia at http://wildliferescueleague.org/wrl_resources.html.