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DNREC says leave 'abandoned' fawns alone

Courtesy Delaware Fish and Wildlife

As spring turns into summer, it's the start of white-tailed deer fawning season. Each year Delaware's Division of Environmental Controls gets calls from people thinking they have found ‘abandoned’ fawns. More than likely the young deer aren't abandoned at all; their mothers are out foraging for food. 

In a statement, Division of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Emily Boyd said young white-tailed deer can’t get up to move around until they’re about two months old and anyone trying to 'save' them will end up doing more harm than good. 

"Though well-intentioned, people who remove fawns and other wildlife from the wild have harmed the animals they were trying to help because the animal's best chance at survival is with their parents who can care for and raise them," Boyd said. "If you happen upon a fawn or other young, wild animal, please leave it, disturbing the animal and the area around it as little as possible." 

And it’s illegal, too. Removing a baby deer from it’s habitat can carry a fine of up to $250 for a first offense. A second offense carries a steeper fine and possible jail time.

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