COLUMBIA, SC – A tiny, orphaned fawn is beating the odds at a South Carolina wildlife center after being abandoned by his mother due to a rare physical deformity.
A Critical Rescue
The 2.8-pound baby deer was brought to Magnolia Fawn Rescue on May 21 after a local family discovered him alone in the wild. The fawn had been left to fend for himself for three days, leaving him severely dehydrated with visibly curled ears—a telltale sign of critical fluid loss in young deer.
Rescuers quickly determined that the mother deer had abandoned the fawn because a severe overbite left him physically unable to nurse.
Road To Recovery
Despite his dangerously low weight and extreme dehydration, the rescue team described the fawn as incredibly strong and alert. He was immediately placed in an incubator to stabilize his body temperature and began receiving specialized fluid and milk therapy.
Wildlife officials confirm that the fawn is responding well to treatment, and his prognosis for a full recovery remains bright.
What To Do If You Find A Fawn
With deer birthing season underway across South Carolina, wildlife experts are urging the public to know the signs of a truly abandoned animal:
- Normal Behavior: Mother deer frequently leave healthy fawns hidden in tall grass for hours while they forage for food. If a fawn is quiet and calm, leave it alone.
- Signs of Distress: If a fawn is crying continuously, covered in insects, or has curled ears (indicating severe dehydration), it requires immediate intervention.
- Professional Care: Do not attempt to feed or take home a wild fawn. Instead, immediately contact a licensed local wildlife rehabilitator.
