As fall has finally arrived, most of our young patients are ready to return to their wild homes. Each year, California Wildlife Center (CWC) rehabilitates injured, orphaned or abandoned young Mule Deer. This year, we cared for four fawns. Two were admitted after being orphaned. The other two had abrasions and lacerations, which were treated by our hospital staff.

Mule Deer, born from April to June, are nursed by their mothers throughout the summer and weaned in the fall. This year, our patients arrived between late April and late June. At first, the young fawns were bottle-fed a specialized formula specifically for deer. As they gained weight, they were moved into a large field-like enclosure where they learned to eat on their own. Mule Deer are herbivores and eat a variety of fresh green leaves, twigs, shrubs, various grasses and berries.

Because deer habituate to humans very easily, we limit the number of people who come into contact with them. We can monitor them via cameras installed in the deer enclosures. We release our deer patients onsite each October by opening the door of their enclosure, letting them head into the Santa Monica Mountains.

A few weeks before this year’s release, our hospital staff spotted a male deer, called a buck, on the other side of the fenced enclosure. Their large outdoor enclosure has metal fencing on one side, allowing the deer to see the wooded area just outside. The buck stayed most of the afternoon, just on the other side of the fence. It was the first time we have witnessed a deer seemingly visiting our patients.

Being that we have released our deer patients onsite for many years, our hospital staff believe the buck may be a former patient or related to a former patient. It is our hope that this year’s Mule Deer have joined the local herd and will thrive out in the wild!