In late spring, when walking in green areas, it can happen to come across young deer or roe deer standing motionless in the tall grass, apparently alone. It is a scene that is tender, but can be misleading. These animals are not abandoned: their mothers only go off to look for food, leaving them hidden and protected by the vegetation, their spotted coat and lack of scent. Intervening, even just for a caress or to move them to a supposedly safe place, can break this delicate balance. Human contact leaves an odour that risks alarming the mother, prompting her to abandon the baby for good. It is a gesture that may seem affectionate, but is tantamount to condemnation.
Publication date: 16/05/2025
