Quick Take
- Two exhausted fawns were found stranded in open water, leaving rescuers with more questions than answers See how it happened →
- A lone fawn isn't necessarily abandoned, and most people who try to help one make the wrong call. Learn typical fawn behavior →
- The moment the family had to decide whether to intervene or stay back is where this rescue gets complicated. Read the rescue decision →
- What happens after you bring a wild animal to safety matters more than the rescue itself. See their safe return →
Nature can be harsh and cruel to some of the most vulnerable. However, thanks to the kindness of humans, we can help save animals in trouble. One example involves a North Carolina family who helped save two young deer struggling in the water. This Instagram post by @abc11_wtvd shows the rescue and how the deer were cared for. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible rescue.
Deer fawns stay with their mothers in the first weeks of their lives, but spend much of it alone as the mother forages.
©Lester Graham/Shutterstock.com
A Brave Rescue
The video above demonstrates true selflessness. A North Carolina family enjoying their day fishing on their boat came across an unfortunate sight. Two young deer were stuck in the water and unable to climb onto land. Described as “scared and exhausted,” the fawns were quickly helped into the family’s boat as they swam over. The fawns were able to rest in the boat before being brought back to land and seemingly made a full recovery. The footage, captured by Aaron James, left many viewers relieved. How the deer got stuck in the water is unknown. Whether the mother was alive or had abandoned them was unclear, but the family was happy that the deer had a “fighting chance at survival.” After being brought back to their house, the family allowed the fawns to begin foraging on their own and return to the wild when ready.
For the first few weeks of life, fawns actually spend most of their time alone. The doe intentionally leaves them hidden in long grass and brush as she leaves to feed. She returns periodically to nurse and care for the fawn, but it creates the image that they have been abandoned. If you see a fawn lying quietly but alert, it is a good sign that it is being well cared for. Actual abandonment is uncommon and is not typically voluntary. Fawns may be orphaned due to accidents or predator attacks. While fawns don’t typically approach humans, if they are orphaned and in distress, they may be more likely to do so. In these situations, it’s best to stay calm and give them space. While intervening was necessary in the story above, you should call wildlife authorities if you are concerned about a fawn’s health.
