Three Week-Old Deer Cares for Newborn Fawn

Our friends at Palm Harbor's have some great news to share about "Dawn", the baby deer that was rescued in Odessa after Tropical Storm Debby moved through. 

Dawn's story was pretty heart wrenching. Back in June, the tiny, five-pound fawn had surgery to have an eye removed after she was rescued. A veterinarian said she was most likely bitten by a poisonous water moccasin. Since then, Dawn has been in the care of the Suncoast Animal League. 

Now, the league has rescued another baby deer. This one, was a newborn that still had remnants of her umbilical cord attached. Dawn has taken a liking to the newborn and is playing the role of big sister and mom.

Here is the story of their friendship, as told by Suncoast Animal League's Executive Director, Rick Chaboudy-

Growing Up Fast

The early morning rains were torrential and quickly flooded the already saturated ground. The little fawn, with reminisce of her umbilical cord still attached, instinctively moved to higher grounds. She spent over twelve hours huddled under landscaping next to a home. Instructed to leave the little fawn alone, the homeowners could only wait and worry.

As it neared dark, there was still no sign of the mother. Darkness would bring the coyotes as it does every evening said the homeowners. And we feared for the young fawn's health, as it had missed several life sustaining meals. Just before dark, a neighbor picked up the fawn and called me to meet him.

I introduced the wobbly baby to Dawn, who immediately sniffed her like a dog and then began cleaning and comforting her. Next, Dawn nursed from the bottle and the little one with the spindly legs became interested, actually, trying to nurse on Dawn. Most fawns take a day or two to get accustomed to being fed with a bottle but this little girl, maybe because of Dawn, was a quick learner. Three ounces later and she was re-energized.

Dawn seemed to mature before my eyes. She groomed the baby and nuzzled the baby. She brought the little one to her bed and they snuggled in together. At three weeks of age, Dawn brought her "vast experience" into play and calmed the new one with her presence. A mid-night feeding and you could see the little one getting stronger.

After their morning feeding, Dawn teased the baby into a romp around the yard. The baby couldn't keep up but Dawn would always go back and check on her. Dawn, however, would continue to show off her athletic prowess by running circles around the little one, even jumping over her back one time.

It was amazing to watch their instinct take over. When Dawn would run with her tail down the baby would try to play with her. When Dawn "flagged", tail up, the baby immediately went into a crouched position and made herself even smaller.

Playtime quickly wore the little one out and she searched for a resting/hiding place. She found one behind some landscaping. Dawn went to her normal spot. Fifteen minutes later, I noticed Dawn checking on the baby.

Three weeks-old and Dawn has already taken on the role of big sister and Mom.

The Suncoast Animal League's Facebook friends have named the baby fawn "Daisy".

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About the Suncoast Animal League: The Suncoast Animal League is a non-profit, no-kill, no-time limit animal rescue agency, taking in abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted animals. Suncoast Animal League is dedicated to the needs of the community as it relates to the Protection and Welfare of its Animals.

• How to Volunteer at Suncoast Animal League
• How to Donate to Suncoast Animal League
• How to Adopt an Animal at Suncoast Animal League
• Follow Suncoast Animal League on Twitter
• Become a "fan" of Suncoast Animal League on Facebook

The is located at 1030 Pennsylvania Ave., Palm Harbor, FL (727) 786-1330