Conservation Officers in the Okanagan are pleading with the public to leave fawns alone.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e cute and defenceless 鈥� and they may look lonely 鈥� but baby deer and other wild animals should not be touched or moved,鈥� said 琉璃神社 Conservation Officer Ken Owens about little ungulates who may appear to have been abandoned.

鈥淢other deer, moose, elk and other species leave their young alone for long periods,鈥� said Owens.

To avoid attracting predators, a mother will leave her baby in a safe space, like in a grassy field, and may only return a few times a day to nurse.

READ MORE: Don鈥檛 鈥榝awn-nap鈥�: Okanagan conservation urges public to leave baby deer alone

Owens said that fawns are as small as a cat when born. As younglings, the fawns are naturally camouflaged and lack an identifying scent, which allows them to hide from potential predators.

Disturbing the fawn by touching can result in the fawn becoming orphaned by its mother. Additionally, hanging around close to the fawn could discourage the mother from returning.

Owens said that so far this spring, the conservation office has received multiple calls for fawns who are simply snoozing in the grass. Unfortunately, there have also been two instances where people have taken 鈥渦nlawful possession鈥� of the youngsters, said Owens.

Not only does 鈥榝awn-napping鈥� cause harm, but it is also illegal and last year the conservation office was involved in cases where people were charged for taking unlawful possession of live wildlife.

While the babies may look abandoned, they are not, reiterated Owens. It is typical for young ungulates, like deer, to lie quietly in vegetation for hours at a time, especially in the first two weeks of their lives when they are not strong enough to walk far distances with their mothers.

Additionally, pet owners are asked to keep their dogs on a leash as pups can disrupt and harm the fawns.

If you see a fawn that may be orphaned:

路 Leave It Alone - If the fawn is lying quietly and appears uninjured it is likely normal behaviour.

路 Remember that the mother deer will be wary of you and is likely watching you so leave the area.

路 Keep pets away from the site.

路 Return the next day to check on the fawn. If it is in the exact same spot and bleating, it may be orphaned.

If you are concerned that a fawn is injured or orphaned (i.e., there is evidence the parent is dead), contact the Conservation Officer Service through the (RAPP) line 1-877-952-7277.

鈥淭he best thing they can do to ensure a fawn鈥檚 survival is to leave the newborn deer fawns alone and leash up their dogs while out walking,鈥� said Owens.