Fawns (baby deer with white spots)
Fawns are left on their own for most of the day for the first few weeks of their lives. This is normal; don't touch the fawn; stay away and keep all dogs away from the area. The mother deer is likely close by and monitoring her fawn, very few fawns are truly orphaned. Two fawns are common.
Observe the fawn from a distance. If you are certain the mother has not returned to feed the fawn during a 12 to 18 hour period, please call WildARC at (250) 478-9453.
Call Wild ARC immediately if you find a fawn displaying any of the following:
- the fawn seems frantic, is wandering and bleating consistently, or approaching people
- the fawn is obviously injured
- the fawn has been fed anything by anyone
- the fawn is located in a dangerous or high-traffic area
Wild ARC can only help fawns that still have their spots. If the fawn does not have spots it is too old to be safely handled/rehabilitated.
Adult Deer (sick or injured)
Unfortunately there is no Veterinary care provided to any injured deer.
Deer are prey animals, they do not tolerate being handled. They will either survive their injury or succumb to it.
Tranquilizers are not an option. A deer shot with a tranquilizer dart will immediately run at speed for several minutes. The deer will either injure itself more; be hit by a car; cause property damage; or injure the person trying to help it or all of the preceding. It is usually impossible to track a deer in an urban environment.
If an injured deer is on the ground and unable to get to its feet Report the injured deer to BC Conservation at 1-877-952-7277. BC Conservation will only respond if the deer is not mobile.