Many wildlife species are born during this time of the year, so it's also the time when people often see young wildlife alone on trails, in the woods or on the side of roads. As tempting as it might be to "help" a young animal by offering it food or picking it up, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds people not to approach, touch or handle animals.
Every year people pick up young animals such as elk caves, deer fawns, small mammals or birds, and then call CPW asking what needs to be done to "save" the animal. Unfortunately, if a young animal is handled it will likely die without the nourishment its mother provides.
In most cases, the animal hasn't been abandoned. Young animals are often left alone while their mother feeds to help them avoid predators and to help them learn to survive in the wild. Deer provide a good example of how wildlife adapts behaviors to help them survive. Young fawns have no scent and are born with speckled coats that provide a natural camouflage. These two factors help them avoid being found by predators. When the mother doe senses a predator might be near, she moves away from her young. Many other animals use similar survival techniques.
If you are concerned about an animal, don't touch it and contact your local CPW office. For more information about encountering wildlife, see Living With Wildlife.