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Leave those babies alone
Wildlife are rarely abandoned
Dale Hajek, The Arizona Republic
May. 29, 2003
Photo courtesy of Arizona Game and Fish
The state's big-game species give birth this time of year. If babies appear abandoned, however, they're usually not.
They are babes in the woods, seemingly so helpless and alone that some people can't resist picking them up.
But don't fall for those big, wide eyes and that wet, quivering nose. In almost every case, that elk calf or deer or antelope fawn is perfectly fine and its mother is nearby.
This is the time of year when Arizona's big-game species begin giving birth - and wildlife officials begin urging outdoor enthusiasts not to "rescue" young animals they believe have been abandoned by their mothers.
"One of the behaviors that pronghorn (antelope) and deer use to reduce predation on these fawns is to stay away from them as much as possible," said Jim deVos, research branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"When the doe is close to the fawn, the scent left in the area increases, which in turn increases the likelihood of a predator finding the fawn.
"The best thing to do is to leave these fawns where they are found. Mom is off doing what she needs to do to survive, and bringing in these fawns is much worse than leaving them where you found them."
Show Low veterinarian Ole Alcumbrac, who often works with the department on wildlife-related issues, agrees.
"When these animals are taken from the wild, the problems start," he said. "Often, they become imprinted on humans, which lessens their likelihood of survival if they are ever released."
If a person comes across a calf or fawn they believe has been abandoned, they are asked to contact the department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center at (623) 582-9806.
Did you know?
• Elk calves are born from late May to early June after an 8- to 8 1/2-month gestation period. Twins are extremely rare. A calf averages about 30 pounds. The calf is a dark russet color, with white spots on its back and sides.
• After a gestation period of about 190 days, mule deer fawns are “dropped” about midsummer. Twins are not uncommon. A fawn's spots will disappear in about two months. The young will stay with the doe until the following spring.
• Although a whitetail doe's first pregnancy usually results in a single fawn, she may bear twins after that.
• Antelope breed in August and September, and the fawns (one or two) are born in May and June. The fawns aren't spotted but have markings similar to the adults.
Wildlife are rarely abandoned
Dale Hajek, The Arizona Republic
May. 29, 2003
Photo courtesy of Arizona Game and Fish
The state's big-game species give birth this time of year. If babies appear abandoned, however, they're usually not.
They are babes in the woods, seemingly so helpless and alone that some people can't resist picking them up.
But don't fall for those big, wide eyes and that wet, quivering nose. In almost every case, that elk calf or deer or antelope fawn is perfectly fine and its mother is nearby.
This is the time of year when Arizona's big-game species begin giving birth - and wildlife officials begin urging outdoor enthusiasts not to "rescue" young animals they believe have been abandoned by their mothers.
"One of the behaviors that pronghorn (antelope) and deer use to reduce predation on these fawns is to stay away from them as much as possible," said Jim deVos, research branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"When the doe is close to the fawn, the scent left in the area increases, which in turn increases the likelihood of a predator finding the fawn.
"The best thing to do is to leave these fawns where they are found. Mom is off doing what she needs to do to survive, and bringing in these fawns is much worse than leaving them where you found them."
Show Low veterinarian Ole Alcumbrac, who often works with the department on wildlife-related issues, agrees.
"When these animals are taken from the wild, the problems start," he said. "Often, they become imprinted on humans, which lessens their likelihood of survival if they are ever released."
If a person comes across a calf or fawn they believe has been abandoned, they are asked to contact the department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center at (623) 582-9806.
Did you know?
• Elk calves are born from late May to early June after an 8- to 8 1/2-month gestation period. Twins are extremely rare. A calf averages about 30 pounds. The calf is a dark russet color, with white spots on its back and sides.
• After a gestation period of about 190 days, mule deer fawns are “dropped” about midsummer. Twins are not uncommon. A fawn's spots will disappear in about two months. The young will stay with the doe until the following spring.
• Although a whitetail doe's first pregnancy usually results in a single fawn, she may bear twins after that.
• Antelope breed in August and September, and the fawns (one or two) are born in May and June. The fawns aren't spotted but have markings similar to the adults.
