LOCALadk Magazine

DEC Message | LOCALadk LOCALadk Magazine Spring 2014 9 If You Care, Leave It There A message from the DEC Please Do Not Disturb Fawns and Other Young Wildlife Spring is a busy time for wildlife. The young are being born or hatching and the parents are busy gathering food to feed them. It is a perilous time for the young because predators seek them out to feed their own young. So we must do all we can to take care of them right? Wrong! It is not uncommon to find a fawn, bird or other young wildlife by itself at this time of year. You may assume that young wildlife found alone are orphaned, abandoned, helpless or need assistance. Likely you are mistaken. The best thing to do is keep your distance, briefly enjoy the moment – maybe take some photos – then quietly leave without disturbing the animal. Most birds and mammals are cared for by their parents, while most reptiles, amphibians and fish learn to survive on their own. While the parents are caring for them, they often avoid the young as much as possible to avoid attracting predators. Just because you don't see the parents doesn't mean they are not still caring for their young. In late May and early June, DEC receives numerous calls from people who have found a white-tailed deer fawn alone and want to help. Fawns are able to walk shortly after birth, but they spend most of their time lying still. The mother only comes to the fawn to nurse it, spending less than 30 minutes three to four times a day. She stays away to reduce the chance of attracting a predator. The fawn's protective coloration, near lack of scent and ability to remain motionless all help it avoid detection. Human scent on a fawn can delay nursing by its mother and put the fawn at risk by attracting predators. The fawn's best chance for survival is being raised by its mother, without any human interference., So, if you observe any young wildlife, always remember If You Care, Leave It There. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about young wildlife, visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6956.html Have fun exploring them! We've worked hard to protect these places. Silver Lake Bog, Moss L ake, Santanon i Pr eserv e … and man y m o r e ! Spring Pond Bog, Val c o u r Island, Dunh am Ba y M a rs h, E ve rt o n Fa ll s , OK Slip Falls, India n R i ver, Essex Chain La ke s, Lake Lil a, Blue Ledge, Hudso n R i ver, Lyon M o u nt ain, Coon Mou nta i n , 518.576.2082 adirondacks@tnc.org Adirondack Chapter, Keene Valley, NY nature.org/adirondacks

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