Spring has officially arrived in Monterey County, bringing new wild babies to our hills and backyards. For the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center, it also marks the start of “fawn-napping” season, a precarious period where healthy baby deer are mistakenly rescued from their mothers.
So far this year, the SPCA Wildlife Center has already received six fawns that were inadvertently taken from their mothers. Two were successfully reunited with their mothers, two sadly did not survive the ordeal, and two are still in our professional care.
“It’s a heartbreaking mistake,” says Ciera Duits-Cavanaugh, SPCA Wildlife Center Supervisor. “People see a tiny fawn curled up alone in the grass and assume it’s been abandoned. In reality, that mother deer is nearby, watching and waiting for the humans to leave so she can return to her baby. By picking them up, people are unintentionally kidnapping these animals from the wild.”
Mother deer naturally leave their fawns hidden in safe spaces for most of the day to avoid leading predators to them. They typically only visit at dawn and dusk to nurse. A fawn lying quietly, curled in a ball on its stomach, is perfectly safe and exactly where it’s supposed to be.
The SPCA urges residents to stay back, keep dogs away, and do not touch the animal. If a mother senses humans or pets nearby, she will not return, potentially leading to actual abandonment.
When is a Fawn Actually in Trouble? A fawn needs professional help only if it shows these signs:
Prone Position: Lying flat on its side rather than curled on its stomach.
Distress Signals: Walking and vocalizing (crying) for over an hour.
Physical Trauma: Visible blood, broken bones, or labored breathing.
Orphaned: A deceased mother is confirmed nearby.
“Fawns are extremely sensitive to stress,” warns Duits-Cavanaugh. “The fear of being handled by humans, combined with an incorrect diet even for one day, severely decreases their chance of survival. Please, call us before you act.”
If you suspect a fawn is in distress, please do not attempt to rescue it yourself. Contact the SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center immediately at 831-264-5427. Our expert wildlife rescue technicians will evaluate the situation over the phone and provide specific instructions.
