Department of Fish and Wildlife recommend not disturbing young animals

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – With more people going on outdoor adventures in the warmer weather, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources warn against disturbing young animals.

“This time of year, anyone spending time outdoors has the chance of accidentally stumbling upon baby animals,” said Ben Robinson, assistant director of the department’s Wildlife Division. “The parents will often leave their young unattended, but they usually aren’t too far away.”

Deer fawning season peaks in late spring, additionally a time when Kentucky Fish and Wildlife receives a multitude of calls from those worried about seemingly abandoned young wildlife.

“The best thing to do is leave them alone, even if they look abandoned. Chances are, they’re just fine,” Robinson said. “The mother will be watching and listening from a distance.”

According to the department, deer fawns are carefully groomed by their mothers to minimize their scent which reduces vulnerability to predators. They survive by spending much of their time motionless and bedded down until they are around a month old. At that age, they are strong enough to follow their mother. The fawn’s reddish-brown coat patterned with pale spots helps camouflage them in dappled sunlight.

If a landowner runs into a fawn that is obstructing cutting hay or mowing, they can move it a short distance out of the way. The fawn’s mother should still be able to find it through sight, vocalization or scent when she comes back to nurse it.

A wildlife rehabilitator can be called when a fawn is obviously injured or the mother deer was seen being hit by a car. Still, all wildlife should be left alone.

Only permitted wildlife rehabilitators may keep orphaned or injured wildlife. For a searchable list of wildlife rehabilitators, visit fw.ky.gov.

Other young animals that are commonly seen in the spring are songbirds, some reptiles and amphibians along with most mammals.

“Rabbits can start nesting as early as February and they’ll go throughout the spring and summer months,” Robinson said. “Often times, people will stumble across a rabbit den in their yard or at a park and wonder what they can do to help. The best thing they can do is simply leave it alone.”

Putting down a flag or stake near the spot can help signify the nest site for reference when mowing in the future.

“Newly hatched songbirds are also going to be out and about learning to fly, so don’t be alarmed if you see them on the ground, awkwardly trying to fly. Parents are still looking after them,” Robinson said.

Ultimately, it is best to leave nature to its instincts and observe it from a safe distance.