Guest blogger: Katie Barlow, The Deer Initiative
You are on a lovely country side walk when you spot a very young deer, on its own, looking defenceless. It seems scared and still. Best thing to do? Leave it be.
This is perfectly normal and the youngster is at its safest where it is. We as humans may not agree that 鈥榓bandoning鈥� your baby is safe, however, to deer this is an instinctive form of protection and mum will be nearby.
A muntjac deer fawn by Jamie Cordery, The Deer Initiative
Deer give birth from late April and into July. Both non-native species, such as and native species, such as often leave their young alone from an early age while the mother eats and then returns occasionally to feed them.
Young red deer copyright Rob Moon, BDS Image Library
So if you are lucky enough this spring and summer to see a young deer just remember, although it is very tempting to get as close as possible, it is best to view them from a distance. This will allow the mother to find her youngster easily and the wildlife stays wild.
Young sika deer by Jochen Langbein
More information about best practise around wild deer on the