WildSafeBC is reminding people to be alert during fawning season and to leave fawns be if they should stumble across one.
A doe will often leave her fawn(s) alone for hours at a time while she feeds, according to WildSafeBC, returning throughout the day to nurse.
Scentless and silent, fawns may appear to be orphaned and helpless, but the best thing you can do for a fawn is to leave it alone, says the conservation program.
Removing a fawn from the bedding area or handling a fawn at all can greatly decrease its chance of survival.
Stayin on marked trails reduces the chance of stumbling upong a hidden fawn, but should you come across one, be cautious and alert to not disturb it.
Fawning season occurs from mid-May to June until the fawns become more independent of their mothers.
It is important for pet owners to keep dogs on leash during this time.
Does may see pets as predators or threats to their newborns since dogs are members of the canidae family and are the natural predators of fawns in the wild.
If a dog comes too close, the doe may become aggressive and attack the dog.
It is illegal to pick up any wildlife under the Wildlife Act and could result in a fine, regardless of intent to help what you may perceive to be an injured or abandoned animal.
If you observe a fawn or other young animal that appears to have been left alone for an extended period of time, contact the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) 24/7 at 1-877-952-7277.
Also remember, never feed deer or other wildlife. Most human sources of food are not appropriate for deer and may make them sick. The food you leave behind may also attract other animals such as bears, coyotes or rodents.
Once deer become established in a community it can be very challenging to get them to return to the wild.
Urban deer can do damage to people’s gardens, attract predators, or are at increased risk of being hit by vehicles. Help keep wildlife wild and your community safe by not interfering with these animals and enjoying them from a distance.
WildSafeBC Golden is grateful for the generous support the program receives from its funders including The Town of Golden, Columbia Basin Trust, the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the province of B.C.
