Baby Deer Found Alone

What is normal?

A fawn, or baby deer, found alone is not necessarily abandoned. Mother deer don’t want to attract predators to their baby, so she mostly leaves them on their own, hidden and camouflaged. Mom will come back a few times a day to feed her baby, or move them. Feeding may only take 2-3 minutes, so unless you’re watching constantly you will probably miss it! It is normal behaviour for baby deer to spend their time laying quietly in various hiding spots until 3-4 weeks of age when they start to accompany their mother.

Is the baby deer injured?

A baby deer with any of the following signs needs medical attention:

• There are obvious wounds or blood on their body
• They have been attacked by, or came in contact with a dog
• There are lots of flies or fly eggs on them
• They are constantly vocalizing (when not being touched) for an extended period of time
• The tips of the ears are curled back
• They are laying flat on their side, legs extended

If you notice any of these signs contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away for further advice.

The deer is curled up and laying quietly

Baby deer found quietly curled up in a hidden area (in tall grasses, amongst shrubs) or in a field are most often healthy and awaiting their mother’s return. They are typically not in need of rescue and should be left alone as these are normal situations. Keep an eye on the fawn from a distance (if you’re constantly close by, mom may not come back); if they begin to exhibit any signs of being orphaned or injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

I have not seen the mother around

Deer fawn, although able to stand and walk shortly after birth, spend most of their time curled up on the ground alone for the first month of life. Since fawns do not have the speed to outrun predators until about three weeks of age, the mother leaves her young in various bedding places and returns to feed them intermittently (about every four hours, sometimes longer), as long as she detects no threat (e.g. people) nearby. Fawns lack the scent that would make them vulnerable to being detected by predators while awaiting their mother’s return.

Many people mistake fawns found quietly curled up and alone as abandoned, however this is rarely the case. If the baby appears healthy, the best thing you can do is leave them alone. Keep children and pets away, monitor from a distance and reassess the situation in 24 hours.

If you find a baby deer that has been laying in the same spot for over 24 hours, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice before touching the fawn.

Should I leave food or water for the deer?

No. Leaving food or water near the baby runs the risk of attracting predators like coyote or domestic dogs. If you want to help the family out, please give them as much space and privacy as possible.

The baby deer was found in a dangerous location

If you’ve found a baby deer curled up in a dangerous location, like beside a busy road or in a backyard with dogs, contact a wildlife rehabilitator to help assess the situation and determine if intervention is needed.