Young fawn laying in grass. Courtesy/NMDW
Courtesy/NMDW
NMDW News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is reminding the public to leave young wildlife undisturbed as spring transitions into summer.
New Mexico offers a unique opportunity to observe a wide variety of wildlife and this time of year marks the birth of many species across the state. As temperatures rise, fawns, elk calves, bear cubs and other young animals are born daily. While these encounters can be exciting, the Department urges residents and visitors to respect wildlife by keeping their distance.
Many young animals are in a vulnerable stage of life. Although it may appear that a fawn or calf has been abandoned, this is rarely the case. Mothers often leave their young hidden while they forage nearby and typically return within a few hours. Human interference, even with good intentions, can unintentionally cause harm.
Some wildlife encounters can also pose risks to people. For example, bear cubs may appear alone, but the sow is usually close by and highly protective. Approaching young animals can trigger defensive behavior and increase the likelihood of an attack.
Nick Forman, the Department’s carnivore and small mammal program manager, emphasized that the best thing to do is to leave young wildlife alone and maintain distance from them.
“It is ideal to leave bear cubs alone and let their mother raise them in the wild,” Forman said. “Female bears can become defensive and aggressive quickly when they feel like their cubs are in danger, a lot of attacks are a result of females defending their cubs from humans. The safest option is to stay away from the cubs and to not get between a female and her cubs.”
Department elk biologist Travis Zaffarano added that human encounters can cause stress for young animals.
“During the early stages of development, elk calves are limited in mobility and rely solely on camouflage to avoid predation,” Zaffarano said. “When elk calves are hidden in downed woody debris or low-lying vegetation, they are only temporarily alone while the mother is foraging nearby. These animals are not abandoned and will very shortly be reunited with their mothers.”
“Please only view hidden calves from no less than 60 feet to minimize stress on the calf,” he added. “Also, please vacate the vicinity quickly so that the mother may return to her calf without any perceived threat.”
Viewing wildlife in its natural habitat is a privilege. The Department reminds the public to observe responsibly: do not touch or attempt to handle wildlife, keep a safe distance and leave the area quietly.
If you believe an animal is injured, sick or truly abandoned, contact a local conservation officer with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. If possible, note the exact location using GPS to assist responders.
It is unlawful to remove any game animal from the wild, whether alive or dead. If you suspect illegal activity, please report it to your local conservation officer or the Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 800.432.GAME (4263). More information about the Operation Game Thief program is available on the Department’s website.
For more information, contact the New Mexico Department of Wildlife Information Center at 888.248.6866.
Mama deer with two young fawns. Courtesy/NMDW