If you care, leave them there — that’s the message state wildlife officials want to get out during a time of year when wildlife becomes more visible.
Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife spokesman Mark Latti says, as the weather gets warmer and more people are enjoying the outdoors, it’s not unusual for people to come across baby fawns, moose calves, robins, raccoons and other young wildlife. He says that does not mean it’s a good idea for people to intervene.
“Most likely the mother’s out feeding and it’s going to return soon, so that’s why we urge people when they’re outside, if you see young animals, please leave them there,” he says. “This is the time of year when people start to see young wildlife, particularly baby fawns, and so our game wardens and biologists, and the Maine Wildlife Park, are getting a lot of calls about what people feel are abandoned animals.”
Latti says the does’ milk is so nutritious that the fawn can be left for many hours as the mother feeds. Latti says the mother will leave the fawn in a safe place and return 2 or 3 times a day to nurse.
