Fawn Crackdown

Wildlife enforcement

Years of warning are coming to an end for people who insist on “rescuing” young wildlife that appear to be abandoned.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Department officials say they will issue citations this spring to people who take young wildlife from the field without proof that the animals have been orphaned.

“If you pick up a fawn, you’d better be able to prove that its mother has been killed,” said Madonna Luers, department spokeswoman.

Every spring, the department gets calls from people who say they have rescued an abandoned baby raccoon or bear, she said. “But mostly we get fawns.”

It’s common for young wildlife to be left unattended for hours while the adults feed or attempt to lure disturbers away. Some people interpret this as abandonment.

“That’s why it’s against the law to take wildlife from the field,” Luers said. The fine is $95. Info: 456-4082.

, DataTimes