The Scottish SPCA is asking people not to take in any little Bambis they spot alone in the wild as a number of the animals have been accidentally taken from their mums by well-meaning members of the public.
It's part of a campaign to raise awareness that more often than not fawns that people mistake for being abandoned, have actually have been left there while their mum forages for food, or looking for a new nesting site.
After a number of fawns arrived into the SSPCA's care after being uplifted, the charity is reminding members of the public to be #WildlifeWise and leave them where they find them.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity’s #WildlifeWise campaign was put in place to stop wild animals from becoming orphans unnecessarily.
The aim is to educate the public on when they should contact them about young wildlife.
Four fawns were admitted to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre from 18 to 23 May, with three of those taken from their natural environment.
Sadly, one of the fawns has already had to be put to sleep on medical grounds as the young deer was showing signs of severe stress, also known as capture myopathy.
Wildlife manager at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre, Steve Gray, said: “We know that people have the best intentions but removing wild animals from their natural habitat can do more harm than good.
“Deer suffer from such extreme stress levels, more so than many other wild animals, that in some cases it can be life-threatening.
“By removing a fawn when there is no need to, it can cause great distress to mother and baby."
The charity is asking people to be #WildlifeWise and stay a safe distance away from fawns and not to contact its helpline unless the young deer is showing signs of needing assistance.
A mother will return to the fawn, sometimes after several hours, and feed it so if someone does return later and the fawn does not show any signs of needing help then it should be left alone.
Steve added: “In many cases, a fawn will not run away if approached, especially if mum has returned and fed them as they will be feeling sleepy. People can mistake this as a sign a fawn needs help when it does not.
“We’ve had instances where people have phoned our animal helpline about a fawn and have chosen to ignore our advice and uplifted the animal anyway.
"Under no circumstances should people take a fawn into their home.
“These are wild animals and their inherent instinct is to flee from humans. These are not domesticated or tame animals who are used to human interaction so trying to pet or comfort them only causes more stress.
"Sadly, this increased stress has caused fawns and deer who have been brought into our care to die."
The experienced animal welfare manager added that it isn't just the fawn who suffers as a mother returning to find her young missing can also suffer severe stress.
He explained that his team will work incredibly hard to rehabilitate these fawns and get them ready to be released back in to the wild.
He said: "This usually involves regular bottle feeding all through the night. As incredible as our wildlife team is, there is no substitute for an animal staying with its family in the wild.
“If you come across a fawn, please stay well back and do not alert it to your presence. Monitor the fawn over several hours. Please make sure dogs are kept on a lead around any wild animals.
“If in doubt of what to do when you come across a fawn, stay well back and call our helpline for advice.
"A mother will return to feed its young and then go off again. If there are still no signs of the fawn needing help when you check back, please leave it alone.
"People should only intervene if the fawn is injured or the mother is deceased nearby."
Urging the public o be more #WildlifeWise, he added: "Please help us to keep wild families together and only phone when it's needed.”
To report an injured or distressed animal, contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999. Visit www.scottishspca.org/wildlifewise for more information on the #WildlifeWise campaign.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
