It happens every spring. Game wardens, biologists and wildlife managers begin to receive calls from people who have picked up what they think are "lost" or "orphaned" young animals. Young animals are big-eyed, soft, furry, cute and cuddly, and people seem naturally drawn to them. They are concerned for the animal and want to "save" it. They think, "Certainly the mother wouldn't have left it alone."

     Knowledgeable outdoor and wildlife people estimate that more than 90 percent of young animals picked up by mostly well-meaning people are not orphans. This is especially true of fawns, which begin to show up in large numbers in late-May and early-June.

     Sometimes, after the birth of its fawns, a doe will spend time with its young only to feed them or keep them warm and clean. A fawn has little or no odor, and it is difficult for a predator to detect. The doe leaves them alone in its early days so she will not attract those predators.

     In addition, the fawn's general color and dappled coat provides excellent camouflage. Fawns are safe from most predators except the well-meaning human who concludes that the little critter has been abandoned.
In reality, the doe is usually out feeding, away from the fawns not wanting to draw attention to them, but knowing exactly where they are. Often she is watching and waiting for the two-legged intruder to leave the area.

     Deer aren't the only  victims. People find and remove young birds, rabbits, raccoons and even young skunks from their natural habitats, in some cases thinking they'd make a neat pet. Before removing an animal from the wild, people need to think again! Wild pets are still wild and unpredictable, especially as they grow up. Little "Bambi" can grow into a young, equally mature buck—an unpredictably dangerous animal when it goes into rut. Numerous incidences have been reported over the years of individuals who have been gored, trampled, bitten or scratched by their "sweet," hand-fed, grown wild pets.

     Actually, most of them never reach maturity. Wild animals simply do not cope well in captivity. Very young animals seldom survive under average human care. Transporting weakened, stressed fawns, and feeding them less than adequate foods usually results in illness or death.

     The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries annually reminds people that it is illegal to take an animal from the wild into captivity in the first place. This is protection for man and animal alike. But as people begin spending more time outdoors, there is a chance they'll come upon a little spotted fawn or cuddly, young rabbit.

     Should a person somehow end up with a wild animal, report it to a Department of Game and Inland Fisheries offices, at 757-253-7072 in Williamsburg; 804-367-1000 in the City of Richmond, and 540-899-4169 in Fredericksburg. Virginia has licensed rehabilitators who have the necessary expertise and proper facilities for caring for wildlife, with a minimum of human contact. Too much human contact and many animals will not adapt back into the wild, because they lose their fear of humans, often becoming a nuisance and or vulnerable.

     Leaving them alone is the best first choice. Leave the little rabbits and lock up the dog or cat for a few days if you are concerned. Put little birds back in the nest if you can or just usher them off into the bushes for protection. The female bird will find them and feed them. Very young featherless birds that fall out of the nest will probably not be cared for and usually cannot be saved unless you get them back to the nest. 

     Death is reality in our natural physical world. Not all eggs will hatch, not all young will live, and not all adults live very long. In many cases they provide life to others in the process. Wildlife belongs in the wild. The chances of survival for a young animal are better in the wild than with man. Leave "em" alone! 
 
© 2001 Spike Knuth All rights reserved