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Leave fawns alone, pleads British Deer Society

The British Deer Society (BDS) is launching a campaign to make more people aware of the dangers of taking fawns to vets or animal charities in the mistaken belief they have been orphaned or abandonned.

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The new British Deer Society campaign – which will be promoted online and at schools and game fairs – seeks to educate the public about the dangers of removing fawns from woodlands and fields at a time when they need plenty of sleep and milk from the mother.

The British Deer Society’s Dominic Griffith said: “A doe frequently leaves its fawn alone while it ventures out to graze. They need a tremendous amount of food to make enough milk often for twins and will leave fawns for hours at a time.

“People who see a lone fawn should keep their distance. If the doe smells the presence of humans it may be nervous about returning to its offspring. It is essential that anyone who sees a fawn resists the temptation to touch or move it.”

www.bds.org.uk