Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

What action should be taken if a white-tailed fawn is spotted alone?

1. It should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.

2. It can be reunited with its parent or have a foster parent.

3. It should be left alone, as the mother may be nearby.

4. It must be taken to a vet for examination.

The correct answer is: It can be reunited with its parent or have a foster parent.

When a white-tailed fawn is seen alone, the appropriate course of action is to consider that it can be reunited with its mother or placed with a foster parent. This option reflects an understanding of natural wildlife behavior; fawns are often left alone by their mothers for extended periods while the mother forages for food. It’s a survival strategy to minimize the risk of predators finding both the mother and the offspring. Therefore, unless there are clear signs of distress or illness, the fawn should ideally remain in its environment, allowing for the possibility of reunion with the mother. Choosing to leave the fawn alone, while recognizing that its mother may be nearby, offers the fawn the best chance at survival. Wildlife rehabilitators are typically involved when an animal is genuinely orphaned, injured, or in distress, which does not apply to a solitary fawn under normal circumstances. Hence, while the decision to seek help from a rehabilitator can sometimes be necessary, in this case, observing and allowing for natural processes is preferable.