‘Help keep wildlife wild’ — leave fawns alone, give turtles a hand

May 22, 2020  |  VT Fish & Wildlife Dept.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says deer fawns are being born this time of year and humans who find them should avoid disturbing or picking them up. 

Most deer fawns are born in late May and early June, according to Vermont deer biologist Nick Fortin. 

It’s best to keep your distance because the fawn’s mother is almost always nearby, Fortin said. When people see a small fawn alone, they often mistakenly assume it is helpless, lost or needing to be rescued. 

Fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks, instead relying on camouflage and stillness to remain undetected. During these times, fawns learn critical survival skills from their mothers. Bringing a fawn into a human environment results in separation from its mother, and it usually results in a sad ending for the animal.

People should resist the urge to assist wildlife in ways that may be harmful. Fortin offered these tips:

• Deer nurse their young at different times during the day and often leave their young alone for long periods of time. These animals are not lost. Their mother knows where they are and will return.

• Deer normally will not feed or care for their young when people are close by. 

• Deer fawns will imprint on humans and lose their natural fear of people, which can be essential to their survival. 

• Keep domestic pets under control at all times.  Dogs may kill fawns and other baby animals. 

Also, as a reminder, taking a wild animal into captivity is illegal in Vermont.

“It’s in the best interest of Vermonters and the wildlife that live here, for all of us to maintain a respectful distance and help keep wildlife wild,” added Fortin.   

Don’t ask why. Just help the turtle cross the road 

Vermont’s turtles are on the move and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking for the public’s help in keeping them safe.  Female turtles looking for places to deposit their eggs sometimes choose to lay them along the shoulders of roads, which can bring them into the path of motor vehicles.

“Turtles often go across roads as they search for a nest site,” said Luke Groff, biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  “They are slow-moving animals, so they have a tough time making it safely across the road.  Turtles grow slowly and live a long time, so losing a mature breeding female is a huge loss to the turtle population.” 

Turtle nesting activity peaks this time of year, and drivers are urged to keep an eye out for turtles on the road – especially when driving near ponds and wetlands. 

Fish and Wildlife and partners are working to collect data on road stretches that are hotspots for wildlife movement, including turtles.  When those sections of road are upgraded or repaved, the roads may be altered to protect the species involved.  To that end, they are working closely with VTrans, and with Jim Andrews from the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, among other partners.

Even with these changes, Andrews notes, the turtles’ best defense is to have friendly humans avoid them or safely help them across the roads.

Photo courtesy of Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

“When you spot a turtle in the road, you may be able to help it across. First be sure you’re in a safe spot to stop and get out of your car, as human safety comes first,” said Andrews.  “If you’re going to move a turtle off the road, always move it in the direction it was traveling.  They know where they’re going.” 

While most turtles can simply be picked up and carried across the road, those without colorful lines, spots, or other markings are likely snapping turtles, so people should not get too close to the animal to avoid being bitten.  Snapping turtles’ necks are nearly as long as their shells.  Instead of picking up a snapping turtle, wildlife experts suggest pushing the turtle across the road with an object such as a shovel. 

The public including paddlers, boaters, and anglers, is asked to report turtle sightings to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas website at www.vtherpatlas.org.  The information helps conservationists keep track of the status of these species so they may act if populations appear to be in decline. 

“Just snap a photo or two of the turtle, and submit your observation via the website or email.  We’re constantly impressed with Vermonters’ commitment to conservation and willingness to help save turtles,” Andrews said.