A fawn has been brought to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If only a short time has elapsed and the exact location is known, may it be reunited with its mother?

• A. True. Attempts should be made to reunite a fawn with its mother for up to three days.
• B. False. Never reunite a fawn with its mother.
• C. True, only if you are a licensed rehabilitator.
• D. False. Reunifying is never advised.

Answer: (A)

When a fawn is found soon after separation and you know the exact spot where it was placed, reuniting it with its mother is the best course. Fawns spend most of the day hidden and rely on the doe to nurse and guide them; if the fawn can be returned to the mother within a short window, the doe is still likely nearby and the fawn has a much better chance of natural survival. The recommended timeframe for attempting reunification is up to about three days. This minimizes human imprinting and dependency, keeps the fawn with its natural caregiver, and avoids unnecessary hand-rearing. If the mother isn’t located or returns within a short observation period, then the situation should be reassessed with the rehab facility’s guidance.