The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions anyone who encounters a fawn that is alone to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it. Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law in Maryland in order to protect animal welfare and ensure public safety. “Too often, well-intentioned people remove fawns from the wild believing they are helping an orphaned animal,” said DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer. “ Although these individuals are trying to help, captivity can cause fawns to become stressed, injured, and/or malnourished. Additionally, captive wildlife can pose human health risks and become dangerous as they mature. Please leave fawns alone so that they stay safe and wild.” A fawn alone in the wild may appear helpless but almost always they are perfectly safe. Deer are born with specialized physical and behavioral adaptations, which have helped their species survive for ages. Born in late spring, fawns instinctively lie motionless when approached by potential predators, relying on their adaptations to help them hide. Their virtual lack of odor, natural camouflage (reddish-brown and spotted coat), and freezing behavior help them avoid danger. These adaptations serve them well, as evidenced by […]
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