Deer fawning season is just around the corner, and a provincial wildlife official is drawing attention to a frequent source of conflict that comes with it.
Janine Wilmot, a wildlife conflict biologist, says, often, people will see a deer fawn out on its own and, assuming it's been abandoned, they'll want to bring it to safety.
"It's actually way better to leave it be," she explained, noting the doe will usually leave their fawns alone for hours while they go feed. "It could be six or even eight hours later when they come back."
In fact, Wilmot says this is a natural course of events that helps to protect the fawns from nearby predators.
"Because the mother's activities will distract the predator from the fawn's presence so, it's actually a survival strategy for the fawn. So, ironically, people are wanting to help but they are then turning into the predator that the doe is trying to keep away from the fawn."
And with Manitoba not having any rehabilitation facilities authorized to take in deer fawn, Wilmot says interfering can be detrimental to the animals.
"There's really not a great avenue then for how it can grow," she noted.
The best course of action, if someone is concerned, is to contact a local Manitoba Conservation Officer. However, Wilmot added, the vast majority of cases won't result in concern.