Spring and early summer are prime times to spot local wildlife, including deer. But many people who come across a young fawn alone in a yard, driveway or other open area often wonder whether the animal has been abandoned.
Wildlife experts say that in most cases, the answer is no.
Social media feeds are filled with photos and videos of fawns found alone, prompting questions about whether people should intervene.
Sydney Glisan, director of wildlife rehabilitation at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, said the best thing to do is usually nothing at all.
Even if a fawn appears to be alone or is sitting in an inconvenient location, Glisan said people should keep their distance.
“Humans may be safe for them to be around, but we pose a threat of stressing them out so badly to the point they pass away,” Glisan said.
According to Glisan, mother deer commonly leave their fawns in a safe location while they forage for food.
“She leaves no scent in an open spot. She’ll go forage for food. She is big and can be noticed. This way won’t alert predators to the area,” Glisan said.
Young fawns are often not strong enough to follow their mothers for long distances.
“When they are young, they are not strong enough to follow mom the whole way,” Glisan said.
What may appear to be abandonment is often part of a mother’s strategy to protect her young. Glisan said deer frequently leave fawns in areas near people because there are often fewer predators.
“Mom has a unique way to care. Leave the deer [in a] safe spot in a backyard near people because less predators there,” Glisan said.
Glisan said wildlife rehabilitation centers regularly receive fawns brought in by well-meaning people who assume they have been abandoned. In most cases, she said, the mother will return later, often around dusk or dawn.
“That’s the attitude I wish all had — let wild things live in the wild,” Glisan said.
If you believe an animal is sick, injured or in immediate danger, experts recommend contacting a wildlife rehabilitation center. Even then, they advise keeping your distance whenever possible.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.