Leave newborn wildlife in the wild
When it comes to newborn wild animals, mother always knows best, and so with
fawning and calving season underway, provincial biologists are reminding people
that newborn deer, elk or moose should not be touched or moved when
encountered.
People who find these newborns alone often
mistakenly believe they have been abandoned, but usually they have only been
left there temporarily by their mother, who will return. Intervening in these
situations by “rescuing” the fawn or calf is rarely necessary and will usually
do more harm than good.
It is normal for mother deer, elk and other
ungulates to leave their young alone for long periods, returning a few times a
day to nurse and relying on the newborn’s lack of scent to protect them from
predators. Returning mothers that find humans or pets nearby may leave or can
become aggressive to defend their offspring from the perceived threat. The
mother will return if the young is left alone.
Although
these newborns may appear abandoned, it is rarely the case, and if they are
removed they will be orphaned. While professional wildlife rehabilitation
facilities in some areas of B.C. can successfully rear these newborns, there is
no maternal care and their chances of survival are far less than if they had
been raised by their true mother.
This is true not just for deer; many mammals
leave their young alone for long periods of time, only to return to feed them
at regular intervals. So, if you encounter a young deer or calf in the wild at
this time of the year, appreciate the experience, but don’t approach or
intervene.
If you find a fawn or calf that you think may
be orphaned, here’s what you should do:
·
If it is lying quietly, leave it alone and leave
the area. Your presence will discourage the mother from returning.
·
Keep all children and especially dogs away from
the area.
·
If you think the fawn or calf is not being cared
for by its mother, return the next day to check. If it is in the exact same
spot, it may be injured or orphaned. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator as soon
as possible, but do not touch or move the animal.
·
Do
not touch or feed the animal.
To find a wildlife rehabilitator near you, visit the
Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of British Columbia at:their website HERE.
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