Back away from Bambi!
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is once again pleading with the public: Don’t kidnap baby animals — especially adorable, spotted fawns.
Well-meaning humans have a habit of “rescuing” baby deer they assume are abandoned, but wildlife experts say that’s not only illegal — it’s deadly.
“These fawns aren’t orphaned,” said Dylan Ferreira, wildlife biologist with DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. “They’re just waiting for mom to come back. Taking them disrupts that and can kill them.”
Newborn deer often lie silently in tall grass, camouflaged and motionless to avoid predators. Their mothers intentionally leave them hidden while they feed — and almost always return.
“If you see a fawn alone, leave it alone,” Ferreira warned.
It’s not just bad for the animals — it’s risky for you, too.
“Handling wild mammals is a potential rabies exposure,” said RI State Veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall. “And once someone touches them, we may be forced to euthanize the animal to test it.”
Feeding deer is also a big no-no. It’s illegal in the Ocean State and causes more harm than good — leading to disease, digestive issues, and dangerous animal-human encounters.
Each spring, DEM and wildlife rehab centers get flooded with calls — and critters — thanks to folks trying to “help” when help isn’t needed. The vast majority of these cases involve healthy fawns that should have been left where they were.
If you see a fawn, keep your distance. Don’t touch it. Don’t move it. And definitely don’t take it home.
Unless mom is dead on the scene, the baby isn’t abandoned — and you’re not doing it any favors.
If the animal is clearly injured or stuck somewhere dangerous, call DEM Environmental Police at 401-222-3070 or the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island at 401-294-6363. Otherwise, walk away — and let nature do its thing.
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